For the record I disagree with the OP. Mechanics is the way to go, so long as dps/heal checks are added for appropriate challenge. But mechanics should by and large drive the fight. For the most part, SE has done well with this.

Take primals for instance. Even if you execute flawlessly, you will lose automatically if you dont meet a dps threshold. In some primal fights its an auto-loss if tank doesnt meet an hp threshold, or the healer doesnt meet a heal threshold. In other words, skill/ilvl absolutely matters in these fights. Its not as simple as memorize and win.

Now could there be more challenging dps/gear/heal checks? Sure. But they are just checks..phases if you will. When they become the driving force of an encounter then its simply a faceroll. Not exactly fun or challenging.