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That looks like a great alternative and like you say, versatility is key.
The Electric Queen only recently came on my radar as my friends shop started selling All City. I've been thinking of getting a modern mtb for a while but was still on the fence about going full squish over a hardtail. The EQ looks tonnes of fun but I've also just noticed its no longer on AC's site as of the last couple of weeks so I feel like I maybe too late.
ricky2slicky-
Ah if you want a modern mtb then there are plenty of options and I'd say the electric queen is a little bit dated already in terms of modern geo (possibly why they're discontinuing it). It would make a good all rounder option with the rigid fork they sell it with, but if you want a dedicated mountain bike then I'd probably look elsewhere.
yetidamo
Not ridden or even seen an EQ in the flesh but after 2 favourable All City ownership experiences I really fancied one for a 29er based flat bar road bike itch I had.
In the end I decided to do the financially sensible thing and convert a bike I already owned (a stanton sherpa) to what I had in mind for the EQ. It's the dogs dangle. The sort of bike that excels at nothing, but does everything pretty well.
It feels rock solid/tight, tanks along the tarmac, but also handles fireroad and #nogravel but I've also taken it round my local xc singletrack (bedgebury) and whilst the slicks lacked cornering confidence it was still fast and above all fun. I've still got the suss fork, risers and 650b+ wheels/tyres for it so I can convert it between hybrid and mtb modes fairly easily.
If that's the sort of thing you had in mind for the EQ I say go for it. My frankenstan is far and away the most versatile bike I've owned.