If you're going to be buying everything for said setup, 2x will be much cheaper
I don't think that's true these days.
Advent X rear mech, Deore 10spd cassette, spa 1x chainset (or even GRX) and a bar end shifter, or the Sword shifters I don't think is any more than equivalent 2x setup.
This is pretty much my plan! Microshift sword RD (£37 on sports direct rn), I’ve got a middleburn 1x crankset with 38t chain ring. Then likely sword shifters, tho may go for their friction shifters not sure yet…
I don't think that's true these days.
Advent X rear mech, Deore 10spd cassette, spa 1x chainset (or even GRX) and a bar end shifter, or the Sword shifters I don't think is any more than equivalent 2x setup.
I think Cues stuff is even cheaper.