Raiding is becoming less and less optional

[Iscah]

We don't know at what point CT will be mandatory, whether during ARR or pre-shB.
With the ARR reworking, I assume the former

Assuming they're opting for cohesion, it'll probably take place after the 1-50 MSQ and before the patch content.

I think it could possibly have a gate in both places: one in post-ARR (if it's not simply made part of the MSQ itself) to ensure new players do the quests at their proper place in the story, and a second gate at the start of 5.3 to catch anyone who is already past the point where they set up the first gate.

i wonder how some of these raiders would feel if an activity that they didn't enjoy was forced in order to do the MSQ. "in order to complete 5.4 you must have 3 crafters and 2 gather classes raised to max level"

but its easy so its not a big deal amirite?

I'm not "a raider". I haven't even unlocked most of the recent EX/Savage stuff because it just clogs up my party finder list.

I can only assume that anyone complaining about doing these raid hasn't actually done them, and is simply assuming they are difficult because of the "raid" label.

Like it or not, they're going to be mandatory. Your choices are:

1. Play them once to clear the story and get on with enjoying the rest of the game

2. Refuse to play them and be unable to make further MSQ progress

3. Quit the game rather than be forced to play them

And if you are going to take the second or third option on the sheer assumption that they will be difficult and unenjoyable, without at very least playing the lead-in quests and attempting the Labyrinth, then it is very much your loss.

This isn't upcoming content where you can only speculate on how much you think you won't enjoy it. It's there in the game and it only takes a few hours to get through the entire thing, and half of it is run-around quests and cutscenes.