Why do you want to reach 30? The only reason it's necessary is for raiding on hard mode...
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I think it would be better to have it be both Level 30 AND have a full set of Raid Gear to complete the Raid on hard mode. I agree with the OP that they should be kept separate. Just because you're Level 30 doesn't mean that you can pull off the Raid on Hard Mode, and just because you have a full set of Raid Gear doesn't mean that you can it either. You have to have both.