Need advice: static imploding because of cheater.

[ZephyrMenodora]

This is coming from a raider, and an ex-hardcore raider back in WoW that use to no life trying for world / server firsts. I never understood this mindset, my friends tried to example it to me because they got upset at a group was suspected of cheating and got the server first clear two pulls before us. They were livid, but me I was like rip we were just too slow, better luck next time.

Just be better, try harder, push longer. Stop worrying about what others may or may not be doing and just focus on what is in your control. They were pissed at those that cheated, I myself was already looking at the times to review my gameplay to see what I could have done better, what we could have done to clear the fight quicker, what mistakes we made etc . . .

People cheat F 'em could also just be that I am into weight lifting and PED's are massive, and I like w/e you do you, and I will do me. As my coach tells us what others do is not in our circle, worry about you not others. Even as a raider, zoomhacks are kind low bar for "cheating" either way kind of like PED's sure it makes this go slightly quicker and a tad easier. You still have to put in the effort, zoomhacks or not clearing ultimate is a feat and for what it is worth from one lonely raider to another I would not say the other seven runs would be invalid if someone was caught using zoomhacks. They still had to put in the effort certain plugins do not just make it so you can magically clear it.

I am certain even if they had auto pilot rotation, DBM most would still have a hard time clearing TOP. Now I am willing to compromise they should have two groups tool and no tool for the raid clears in FFXIV.

I have a similar background to you in that I am an ex "hardcore" raider but from EQ2 and not WoW. I was in a raid guild that was often global or server first for clears. The time and commitment that guild required of my life, upwards of 30 hours per week, was intense. (As an aside, NEVER AGAIN would I prioritize an MMO the way I did back then!)

If another guild got a clear right before us because they cheated, my response would have been the same as your guild mates. I'd be livid, and typically if cheating is discovered for a world-first, they would have that honor removed and stripped from them. My response wouldn't be, "oh well. Congrats on cheating to get that World First!" This is honestly such a strange reaction to me.

To me, cheating is for people who want the rewards for content they don't have the skill to complete. They can do what other people do if they want the glamours or rewards - do it next expansion unsynced lol.

In the grand scheme of life, is cheating in an online game that important? No. But is it something that should be shrugged off or even defended to the level it is here? No, not one bit.

Edit: As a former hardcore raider who has given up that lifestyle, I do think current-expansion raid gear should carry with it a little badge of prestige. Seeing the Savage gear vs. my tomestone gear means a little something to me when I inspect people. Cheating just cheapens it to me.