Fwiw, rewards in both PvE and Wv3 seem to be based on whether you tagged someone. A minor increase in stats will make a difference in this. You will not get drops if you do too little damage. To some extent, this also affects DE completion level, although sometimes it seems like you can get bronze by just being in the area. You also do not get credit for a kill in Wv3 if you do not do “enough” of the damage that actually kills someone, whatever that threshold may be.
So, is the increase in stats necessary? No. Is it desirable? Yes.