Relic is always at least the second-best choice, sometimes the best (Nexus was for about an month). If you can't clear T13 anytime soon, Relic is the best choice for some classes right now, because of the crappy stats of Irontek weapons (Bard, Smn, Whm, ...). It is always worth to do the latest upgrade as soon as possible not having to catch up, because it is the fastest way with all the peeps doing Relic. Also, if you're a healer like me, you won't see the encrypted tomestone of T11 before all DDs / Tanks got it (at least those without relic). So, no I don't want to wait 6+ weeks after T11 first kill to get a better weapon when there is already a better out there. However, right now I still have to farm the last 1300 Soldiery to finish Zodiac
The weapon is worth, but you have to endure the grind. My relic now consumed 220 hours of playtime. Always did each step when it came out.