diff --git a/libs/gw2_evtc_parser/src/gw2_evtc_parser/parser.py b/libs/gw2_evtc_parser/src/gw2_evtc_parser/parser.py
index eda865ca..b3828fa9 100644
--- a/libs/gw2_evtc_parser/src/gw2_evtc_parser/parser.py
+++ b/libs/gw2_evtc_parser/src/gw2_evtc_parser/parser.py
@@ -371,74 +371,6 @@
 _MAX_ZIP_ENTRY_UNCOMPRESSED_SIZE: Final[int] = 500 * 1024 * 1024  # 500 MB
 
 
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-# Elite-spec cross-validation (v0.16.1-api follow-up)
-#
-# arcdps EVTC2025+ builds sometimes write elite-spec values that do not
-# correspond to the parsed profession (e.g. a Warrior with elite=74 which
-# decodes to Virtuoso, a Mesmer-only spec).  When this happens the parser
-# degrades the elite to BASE (no elite) so downstream consumers see a
-# coherent profession/spec pair.  The raw byte is always preserved via
-# ``Agent.elite_raw`` for forensics.
-#
-# Each profession lists the ELITE-SPEC INTEGER VALUES that are valid for
-# it.  Values not in this set are treated as corrupted/misaligned data and
-# reset to BASE (0).  Collisions (Soulbeast/Daredevil both = 55;
-# Weaver/Renegade both = 63) are handled correctly: a Ranger with 55
-# matches, a Thief with 55 matches, an Ele with 63 matches, a Rev with
-# 63 matches — the collision is resolved downstream by whoever first
-# consumes ``EliteSpec(55)`` or ``EliteSpec(63)``.
-#
-# EoD specs (Willbender, Mechanist, Untamed, Catalyst, Virtuoso,
-# Harbinger, Specter, Vindicator) and Janthir Wilds specs are included
-# where the EliteSpec enum has a value.  Specs not yet in the enum
-# (Bladesworn, Luminary, etc.) are out of scope — the base-profession
-# hint is the fallback anyway.
-# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-_VALID_ELITE_BY_PROFESSION: Final[dict[int, frozenset[int]]] = {
-    Profession.GUARDIAN: frozenset({27, 62, 65}),  # Dragonhunter, Firebrand, Willbender
-    Profession.WARRIOR: frozenset({18, 64}),  # Berserker, Spellbreaker
-    Profession.ENGINEER: frozenset({43, 57, 70}),  # Scrapper, Holosmith, Mechanist
-    Profession.RANGER: frozenset({5, 55, 73}),  # Druid, Soulbeast, Untamed
-    Profession.THIEF: frozenset({55, 71, 72}),  # Daredevil, Deadeye, Specter
-    Profession.ELEMENTALIST: frozenset({48, 63, 75}),  # Tempest, Weaver, Catalyst
-    Profession.MESMER: frozenset({40, 59, 74}),  # Chronomancer, Mirage, Virtuoso
-    Profession.NECROMANCER: frozenset({34, 60, 77}),  # Reaper, Scourge, Harbinger
-    Profession.REVENANT: frozenset({52, 63, 68}),  # Herald, Renegade, Vindicator
-}
-
-
-def _validate_elite_for_profession(profession_int: int, elite_int: int) -> EliteSpec:
-    """Return the validated elite spec for a profession+elite pair.
-
-    If the elite spec value is valid for the given profession, return
-    ``EliteSpec(elite_int)``.  Otherwise return ``EliteSpec.BASE`` (0)
-    and log a debug message so operators can investigate the source file.
-
-    The raw ``elite_int`` is available as ``Agent.elite_raw`` for
-    forensics regardless of this validation outcome.
-    """
-    if elite_int == 0:
-        return EliteSpec.BASE
-    valid = _VALID_ELITE_BY_PROFESSION.get(profession_int)
-    if valid is not None and elite_int in valid:
-        try:
-            return EliteSpec(elite_int)
-        except ValueError:
-            return EliteSpec.UNKNOWN
-    # Cross-validation failed: the elite spec does not belong to this
-    # profession.  Degrade to BASE (no elite) so downstream consumers
-    # see a coherent profession/spec pair.
-    logger.debug(
-        "Elite spec %d invalid for profession %d (agent skipped); "
-        "raw value preserved in elite_raw for forensics",
-        elite_int,
-        profession_int,
-    )
-    return EliteSpec.BASE
-
-
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Implementation
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -1661,8 +1593,10 @@ def _decode_agent_2025(data: bytes, offset: int) -> Agent:
     except ValueError:
         profession = Profession.UNKNOWN
 
-    # v0.16.1-api: cross-validate elite spec against profession.
-    elite = _validate_elite_for_profession(int(prof_raw), int(elite_raw))
+    try:
+        elite = EliteSpec(elite_raw)
+    except ValueError:
+        elite = EliteSpec.UNKNOWN
 
     return Agent(
         id=addr,
@@ -1722,8 +1656,10 @@ def _decode_agent(data: bytes, offset: int) -> Agent:
     except ValueError:
         profession = Profession.UNKNOWN
 
-    # v0.16.1-api: cross-validate elite spec against profession.
-    elite = _validate_elite_for_profession(int(prof_raw), int(elite_raw))
+    try:
+        elite = EliteSpec(elite_raw)
+    except ValueError:
+        elite = EliteSpec.UNKNOWN
 
     return Agent(
         id=aid,