The only value in the grind is the story behind the weapon. Its a side-quest, nothing more.
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Not sure how long I've been at the alex stage, maybe 3 weeks give or take. Got my shield done. Have about 5 alex now 50 more to go for the sword. I am by no means a hardcore player, only get maybe 2 hours a day to play. Between FATES, Soldiery and Seals it really doesn't seem that bad. If you do the dailies you'll get more than enough tomes to get a map. Then the expert roulette, which I can't do because I haven't even unlocked it yet. Had to take a break from the MSQ, I'm at Keeper of the Lake now, but it was a rough go. I'll farm a few FATES here and there if I get a drop, cool, if not, on to the next. Tomes I'll build up from, hunts,treasure maps, beast quests, HM primals (bonus). Hunts for seals.
In the little amount that I play each day I'll get atleast 2 a day. So figure another few weeks or so and should be done. Figure its just an added bonus to stuff I would be doing anyways, so it doesn't seem much of a grind.
It's been in several statements by Yoshi P. but here's one source;
http://gamerescape.com/2015/03/09/pa...naoki-yoshida/
Your research is correct; Relic/Zodiac is a grind, as it was meant to be. Although with 3 months until expansion, you could make at least 2 more easily, if not more, if you commit more than 3 hours a day, especially considering all the nerfs made to the questline.
I'm considering making a 3rd because... what else is there to do?
I'd gladly gather 150 alexandrite then every doing another Animus book again.
Novus wasn't that bad. Just join a decent hunt linkshell and join in for every A and S rank possible. Can get 75 Alexandrite in a week easily doing hunts alone. Just wait until you get to the 16 dungeon Zodiac step. You're gonna really enjoy it!
I have 4 Zeta's, and am considering doing a 5th. I'll get really tempted when I have 75 alexandrites. I have 52 now that I get mostly from running expert roulette each day to max tomes. ;)
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/...94e503e2_o.jpg
I took this pic when they were all still Zodiacs.
I can never force myself to go through the book stage again
There are things like work and such that could and do keep someone from playing more than X amount of time (I myself hold down a full time job). Tbh it's just a very small desire to have to work basically twice every day as I'd prefer to spend my time doing what I enjoy. In the end I'll agree to disagree but I will check out that source, thanks.
Grind is fine, rng grind isn't. Just not going to bother.