What is the purpose of the playing techniques displayed in Dorico? Do they change articulations instead of keyswitches?
Playing techniques apply whatever Playback technique you define for them (you choose/set this in the Playing technique editor):
Playback techniques are just an index (words), with some important properties, that you choose in the expression map for a particular sound slot corresponding to one of your libraries “articulations” (that will be then switched via key switch defined also in the expression map), they are the bridge so to speak between the vst (and the key switch of a sound slot), and the Playing technique that you write in your score.
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Thank you for your advice. I guess I have to assign a key switch to each sound source. Normally, noteperformer and its playback engine do it, but I thought it was unmusical to embed a key switch in the case of a sound source that is not supported. Dorico is amazing! I’ll try it out right away. If it supports ARA, Dorico will be the best for creating music with sheet music.
Yes, if with sound source you intend what normally in sound libraries is called “articulations”. And the needed key switches are to be found in the documentation of your specific sound library.
Not sure what you mean, here.
Yes Note performer has an own factory Expression Map with all necessary assignments. I would not change anything in the slots assignments of NP EM, though!. Maybe, some little changes/personalisations in the Playback options overrides section of its EM are thinkable, if really necessary.
Just experiment with the other library that you have 
and enjoy Dorico.
P.S.
More than 20 years ago, when I was making music for Sibelius, I used to change the tone by program change. It was just long tones and short tones, staccato. I remember that the concept of key switches didn’t exist back then.