Legit Raiding Remotely Possible?

[bgd624624]

I've played off and on for years but have never delved into the hardcore/min-max community in this game. The reason is that virtually every raiding FC uses 3rd party software that is against the ToS and thus cheating (from a purely objective point of view).

Now before people flame...

- I'm not "anti-parser." I've used them in other games.
- They make you better, I am not questioning their efficacy.
- I have no problem with people seeing my stats and judging me based on that.
- I understand SE can't "see" them anyway as they are client side.
- I am not worried about "getting caught" if I did use them.
- I know SE rarely enforces the ToS unless harassment is involved.
- Parsing is openly discussed on the forums, party finder, in FCs, everywhere.
- As an aside, the "Fight Club" meme is utterly absurd. Everyone talks about it.

I enjoy theory crafting, numbers, stats, rankings, challenging content and teamwork. I have the free time and drive to do raid nights like I would in any other MMO. In this game though, my understanding is that if you want to raid current savage/ex content in a coordinated group, you pretty much have to break the rules.

I don't want to break the rules.

So, if I follow the ToS and keep away from groups that don't, I'm pretty much unable to play this game at a more competitive, harder content type level. After some years of playing, I have multiple 70's, MSQ capped, all normal/hard duties done, side quests, complete. I'm bored. I want a challenge, I want to theory craft and be called out when I mess up. But I also want to play the game legit.

Is this even possible? Or is it pretty much, use prohibited software or don't do HC raids/trials. I'm not going to break the ToS despite vehemently disagreeing with it. I'll just move to a game where it is allowed.

Before the flames come in... I am not pointing a finger at the raiding community, I am not holier than thou, I am fine with getting my feelings hurt, it is a game. However, I am also not okay with people bringing up parsing in PUGs that I'm in. I'm not going to break the rules because that ruins the game for me. I'd sooner just not play.

Any thoughts on this? Any alternative?