Swapping from Steam to non-Steam client?

[Colorful]

I'm still confused as to whether switching game versions on existing accounts is possible.
At this point I'd love to do so. This act on Valve's part is just one in a string of incidents that has turned Steam from innovative convenience to restrictive trash run by fools and mobsters and I've had quite enough.

If it is possible I'd love to know exactly how to go about this before investing in a standalone ARR + Heavensward.

From what I've read it just adds a new service account, meaning you'd have to restart if you wanted to play on that version of the game.