What does Heavensward actually bring to the table as an expansion?

[Kaurie]

Unless you're actually a hardcore raider, there is nothing mandatory there, the relic quest brought sidegrades. People created a BiS meta around that too, but unless you raid or do EX primals, it really doesn't matter and you can implement whatever sidegrades you want in your relic.
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That only makes sense if the side stats actually contribute something other than more DPS. There is no reason to choose side stats over side stats that give less DPS at all.