Quote Originally Posted by Camate View Post
I’d like to share the developers’ thoughts and plan for these new trials and upgrades.

When it comes to the first stage of upgrades for relic/mythic/empyrean weapons, this is considered to be the weapon’s complete form and is also the one the developers expect most players can achieve. They don’t want to dangle a carrot in front of everyone saying, “you can make these weapons even more powerful!” and then make it so only small fraction of players achieve this.

On the other hand, as some of you have already mentioned, the second stage of these weapon enhancements is left for those players who wish to go above and beyond—the “completionists” so to speak. This is why there will be no difference in weapon skill damage or other stats and only an AoE benefit as well as a special effect will be given for completing this upgrade.
I like the concept and I think a lot of players do but it's pretty universally agreed that the stage 2 trials are asking too much even for the completionists. I would like to see stage 2 requirements dialed back a bit but only if it has absolutely zero effect on the stage 1 trials. I think the exclusivity could still be retained with far lower numbers on the relic and mythic path but tell the devs to do whatever they need to do to keep my non-glow 99 accessible while retaining the same damage dealing ability of the stage 2.