Berserker gear and builds are not required. They are simply what allows for the fastest clearing of most PvE content.
If you line up a bunch of different builds that excel at different things, then there is no “this is the BEST build.” There are builds that are better for different things.
In dungeons where a fairly one-dimensional AI is behind every enemy we face, certain builds become more useful, more optimal. Bosses often telegraph their hardest-hitting attacks. Now, for these fights you have two main options. You can trait and gear in vitality and toughness and take the hit. Or alternatively, you can wait until the telegraphed move starts and then hit the aegis key, or the dodge key. Since the second option has found a way to avoid the largest hits without treating or gearing for it, they are free to use builds to maximise damage instead.
This is not necessarily true in other game modes, such as PvP. In PvP there is no one-dimensional AI, but rather a team of very active players trying their best to down you as fast as possible. Here once again DPS builds are viable, but not necessarily always optimal. Many good PvP teams will include a bunker, or a decapper, or a control specialist. And every avid PvP player knows how powerful condition builds have become recently.
Here’s an example that’s not Guild Wars. Ever played the Pokemon games for the GBA or NDS? One very strong “build” for a party member is a so-called “toxic staller,” which essentially does damage over time while keeping up constant blocks and heals. It’s typically very powerful. It’s also a massive pain to play with outside of PvP. Why? Because it’s slow, and because such a defensive control build is not necessary for the PvE gameplay. In the open world and in boss fights, more damage is the way to go.
The common complaint here is that not all builds have the same usefulness in all areas of the game. Tanks, healers and damage over time builds are all viable in dungeons. Some people play them for fun, some people use them to compensate for a lack of skill or a lack of interest in active defensive gameplay. But taking into consideration all of the factors that make dungeons what they are, a straight DPS build is most certainly the best in dungeons.
This has been said, but I’ll repeat it anyway. If Anet implemented some massive changes to the game such as boosting enemy armour, giving them unblockable melee attacks, and improving AI, then perhaps straight DPS would no longer be optimal. Perhaps the number of “avoids” each player gets through dodges, blocks and blinds would no longer be enough to keep them alive. In this case, the meta might shift to ranged condition builds, the exact opposite of what it is now.
In that case, the only difference would be that ranged condition builds would have become the most efficient way to clear dungeons. Simply take all the current content that advocates “zerker” and replace it with “condi” instead. LFG speed run groups would become “80s condi 5k ap ping gear” and straight DPS builds would be kicked.
You can change the meta. But there will always be a meta because there will always be a most efficient way to clear dungeons.
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