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Stanton Sherpa mk3 ftw. I have a rigid fork, 29er wheels with plump road tyres, flat bars and a long stem for winter grinding, and 650b wheels with plus tyres, suss fork, risers and a stubby stem for trail rides. It's versatile, fun and surprisingly sprightly. Only downside for bike packing would be the one bottle mount, but I use a osprey bladder thingy for offroad touring anyway.
I do love @Dammit 's Pace hardtail too if you wanted more differentiation from a gravel bike.
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Hard no. I want something available to buy and test and ride and break and replace in short periods of time.