I just had an interesting idea of how Relic weapons should be upgraded

[Chihaya]

A full zodiac is a big deal when I see one.

I believe that is what a relic should be, a big deal - showing the time and effort you put in to get a weapon like that. Much like the time and effort people put into raids for coil weapons.

You pretty much have to dedicate your time

And you very much should dedicate time into a weapon that can be 20 ilvls higher than soldiery weapons and currently better than FCOB weapons. Do keep in mind that these currency weapons were once locked behind coils, and as of now Ironworks weapons is still not available outside of coil. The relic grind is getting easier and easier patch by patch - wouldn't be surprised in even more decrease in light farming or increase rate of atma/zodiac item dropping. The new step from zodiac to zeta is a huge joke as people had their zeta on the 2nd day after patch

You have other choices of weapons if you do not wish to raid or do the time sink - no one is forcing you to do the zodiac weapon path. If you find it is not worth the effort, don't do it, simple as that.
For a lot of us that are doing the zodiac path - yes we find the grind to be boring but we do support that it is behind a time sink and not just given out without dedicating any time for just getting the weapon.

Yet most peoples i see with upgraded Relic are end-game raiders, now that i think of this i personally dont know anyone with Zeta that do not raid at all.

Just saying.

What you consider end-game raider, I cleared up to t9 and barely touched final coil.
I got 2 zodiac weapon each with 2-5 mahatma done and a novus with robust activity.