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@frankenbike
Isn't the standard advice to start with a hardtail then switch to a full-sus later so you don't develop bad habits (with your bunny hops, line choice, landings, etc.)? They are also better for long-distance bikepacking and whatnot usually so if one doesn't know what one is going to be riding it's probably a safer bet.
You won't be doing the most difficult downhill routes where you really need full suspension, at least for now.
I'd maybe go for what is known as a hardcore hardtail. Though admittedly I'm not totally up to date with mountain biking (for some reason I don't suffer from constantly wanting to upgrade my hardtail, unlike all my other bikes, so I don't really bother reading the MTB news and such)
Edit: also when choosing between 29" and 27.5" consider whether you'd ever want to share wheels with your gravel/road/whatever bike.