Why not ?

Spending more time making an install script to put everything in the right place than using Linux itself

I'm at the point where I actually don't want to reinstall anymore, because it's a pain in the ass. I'm still on Ubuntu 20.04, even though the new LTS version has been out for more than a year by now. Ubuntu's current direction doesn't exactly give me an incentive to update, either, but to actually rectify that situation I'd need to reinstall as well.

If you ever do decide to jump, I recommend PopOS. Based on Ubuntu, no snaps.
- I'd rather switch to Debian, TBH. Derivative distros (or rather double-derivative) like PopOS don't feel all that safe to me.

Me after my fifth dkstro hop

Started with Slackware 1, then RedHat 4 (non-el) and when that needed a re-install on a major upgrade, switched to Debian. (In '95-'96). Only re-installs I did since then were after failing hardware or on new systems. (Tried Ubuntu once, that system runs Debian now ;) )

Rolling upgrades are great, but leave a mess, which is why I do a clean install on new systems. (Unless the laptop dies and the storage still works, then that is transplanted with the idea of just copying data and ends up main disk until the setup dies)

Ughh this is me , I'm going to do it. It's been since 2016 I've had Linux installed. Why not again

Rolling release means I never have to reinstall linux. Unless it breaks and I don't know how to fix it. So far It's been 1 year on Arch.

What does the release cadence have to do with that?
- A rolling release Linux distribution continuously provides updates as they become available, without the need for an OS re-installation to get the latest released version.
Very subtle "arch btw"

Sounds about right, especially with AMD drivers. Windows 10 messes them up and nukes the os, leaving linux as the only thing that works on my PC lol

Accurate, distrohopping is quite the hobby

I had a perfectly working Debian desktop a year ago but I still wanted to try out fedora. I thought I found the perfect distro. Fast forward 3 different distros later. I'm now on MicroOS. I promise this will stay for a while. (Will it?)

installing something goes slightly awry

system still runs fine but there are a couple empty read-only folders on the drive

"Oh no! My perfect system is BORKED!"

reinstall the os

If it doesn't feel clean I need to redo everything!

I'm on the verge of switching my gaming PC to Linux, the bloat of windows is becoming too much. I'm fairly PC literate but don't know anything about Linux or distros. It is intimidating to commit to a platform where I know so little. Does anyone have any tips regarding distros or learning the basics?

As a Linux home user that uses windows for work, I recommend you start by debloating your windows. I prefer the Powershell script found here. There are multiple options for debloating windows on github, some also include tools to disable telemetry. I prefer more control over what telemetry gets disabled, and use O&O Shutup to manage that separately.
Then install a few Linux distros in a free hypervisor (Hyper-V/VirtualBox/VMware Player) on your lean windows. Note, Hyper-V is only avaliable on Pro versions of windows. Experiment until you find a Linux distro you are comfortable with. Build your confidence before you take that jump, and you'll be more likely to stick with it.
If you still find you may occasionally need windows, you can always dual boot, or run windows inside a hypervisor on Linux.
Look at ProtonDB to see what games you own will run on Linux.
Pop OS: is a good Ubuntu based distro.
The Nobara Project: is a Fedora based gaming distro.
Drauger OS: is another good gaming specific distro.
Each of these has their own pros and cons depending on your needs and hardware. Google is your best friends here. You will have issues with a game not working like you want. Again Google will be your best friend here.
My biggest suggestion is to embrace the challenges. Understand that in the last two years alone gaming on Linux has improved dramatically. Stay with it Linux is always maybe a better experience overall even if some of our games don't work right now.
- With Redhat going kinda closed-source, will its derivatives like Fedora remain viable?
  Don't remember how Canonical shit the bed, but I'm wary of using Ubuntu derivatives.
  What would you recommend for a distro that keeps on top of security updates and is at least acceptable in terms of running games like AoE2 DE or The Outer Worlds?

Because my laptop has no screen, thus I'm blind until the Nvidia driver loads.

I've wanted to like Linux for such a long time.
But I don't want to have to troubleshoot simple things when I'm at home just trying to enjoy myself. I don't want to have to figure out why this or that won't install or why the instructions for this piece of software aren't working like they say it should.
I use Windows because it's just easy. Not great, but at least I can install applications with zero issues.
The idea of Linux is awesome, but the execution is so messy.
yeah, linux, famous for being bloated and slow on old laptops, especially old thinkpads