I feel like that's a statement people who don't usually play high-gain make. Not a bash against you, so please don't take it that way. And maybe I'm misunderstanding you, but I, for one, couldn't play a Recto or an OG 5150 without a boost of sorts. And there are different kinds of boost that fit different amps better too.
Granted, like I argued earlier, the difference between an OD808 and a TS808 (just to name an example) isn't drastic. I am the kind of jackass who obsess about the details between boosts, and I admit that. But I do find different boost pedals that are further apart like a Klon, a TS808, and maybe a TC Integrated Preamp do sound very different even if you're using Death Metal levels of gain.