Without mad skills learning DH on a hardtail will be harder, mainly because of the geometry.
Saying that, if you really don’t want a full sus, start small, build up slowly on drops, and then know speed is your friend. Pad up and get on with it.
I’ve gone from being scared of anything steep and gnarly to riding far side at revo in 3 minutes and quite happily huck 30 foot doubles in 3 years.