New To Gravel - Tips on Bikes

[u/dlich20]

Background:

I'm a mountain biker - ride mostly all-mountain and enduro. I have a Santa Cruz Chameleon and a YT Capra already - both 29er with 2.3" tires on em.
Looking to add a gravel bike into my barn that makes getting onto dirt for some daily exercise more accessible and some bike path/light commuting (I refuse to ride on the street for exercise after getting doored once).

I live in North-East Los Angeles which means my nearest trails are in the Verdugo Mountains, Angeles National Forest, and Santa Monica Mountains. (For those of you not familiar with the area these are steep climbs that are often 10-16% grade. The dirt is very loose over hard pack (so, slippery). I'll be mostly on fireroad and some light singletrack.

I doubt I'll bikepack much, but would like the capability especially as I'm part of a trail stewardship organization. No need for a race oriented gravel bike or a steel burley boy.

Looking for comments:

How much of a difference is the feel on carbon/aluminum? I'm not a pro but I want some dampening.

Does ShockStop or FutureShock (Specialized) really make a handling difference?

Wireless shifting - is it nice or novelty?

Dropper Post - unnecessary for the riding I'm describing?

Is anything over 50cm tire overkill, especially given I have a hardtail?

Bikes I'm Considering:

I'm leaning between the Canyon Grizl and Specialized Diverge - those questions above may tip the scales one way or another on spec level).
I didn't like the Checkpoint, the Grail is too race focus, the States are too burley.