Well, on steam the system requirements state that a CPU with AVX support is needed. So I guess each official statement about the requirements do so too. So IMO using the word “tricked” is not justified here.
First, it is not like AVX is a new technology. It was introduced 10 years ago in 2011! Second, AVX is CPU related, not GPU related. That’s why heavy graphics demanding games may still not require AVX.
But you are not the only one complaining about the necessity of AVX. See for example this thread that contains more information and discussions in favour and against AVX: If they take restrictions from avx i buy it
The community assumes that AVX is required for efficient path-finding, although it is not officially confirmed afaik.