On one hand you're absolutely right. Cheating can and should be dealt with using server side validation tools without needing to use invasive rootkits with spyware-like and keylogger components on our systems.

On the other hand, I've been very impressed in Valve spearheading the movement via Proton and the Steam Deck to make Linux users impossible to ignore. There are many approaches that could have had an "Only Steam-Deck compatible" solution, but Valve didn't go that direction. Now Linux gamers everywhere benefit, and developers don't lose out from what's now a significant gaming userbase, many of whom are also technically inclined and willing to bring feedback to the developer.

I agree with you 100% but you have supported their shitty decision. It only concretes the choice for them, when sales are good.

There are community challenges in the game that alter the course of the galactic campaigns. Cheaters can swing challenges to victory which then means there can be planets you might never fight on because it requires losing a community challenge.

The devs have also said they want to tell stories using community challenges, so cheating can also hamper their storytelling.

It wouldn't effect you personally, it would effect the games overall progress. The way the game progresses for all players is effected by what planets are liberated and what missions are accomplished. All players are on the same team, meaning if some players cheat, it will significantly effect the outcome of these in game events.

Something not mentioned by others, you can't engage on completed worlds. If a world is lost or won it becomes locked out until it gets attacked again by either side (not automatic or guaranteed). Cheaters could potentially remove all content from the game.