I'm wondering if we can completely do without addons for hard surface modeling, UVs, and other difficult tasks. That, in the end, addons are just a time saver, but everything can be done with the built-in tools in Blender.
Yes, about 70% of add-ons only speed up or automate processes that can be done in Blender. About 20% are UI improvements or workflow related. The other 10% actually add new features or add new import/export types or interfacing with other programs. At least that has been my experience.
Yeah you can do without any addons. I have rarely used addons. That said their help is always welcomed. Maybe picture it like body's immune system, it can do most of the job, but some extra medication once in a while to help it out is mostly welcomed. Image life without any of the medicines we take everyday, you can endure a headache sure, but a little pill to get the pain away is such a relief to have. So vote Yes for addons.
I'm going to steal your analogy Omar.
An example is the extra objects:mesh addon. Yes you can build all the DnD dice manually, but with that addon it only takes a few clicks and you have 5 of the 6 done.