So based on a lot of the reviews have seen the new 24 Scalpel suggested as the most DC, most forgiving, etc of the current XC bikes.
Looking at the geo compared to the Epic 8, I’m not sure why though, the Epic 8 is slacker in head tube angle but the Scalpel has differences in trail, front centre and seat tube angle. I find I struggle with the more difficult man-made features that are becoming part of XC racing and also use my XC bike as a trial bike (its my only MTB) so feel like I would benefit from something that has more travel and will track better through rock gardens/rooty sections, absorb cased drops/jumps and descents better, while still being faster than a trail bike in flowy single track and doubletrack.
Not sure if this will work but here is the comparison of the Epic 8 and 24 Scalpel Geo, my current bike is a 21 Revolver FS100 so expect any of the modern 120mm travel bikes would offer a gain with slacker geo and more travel.