Of course I'm sure we all remember the train wreck before SB, where anima weapons were BIS for just a couple of days before the lottery Diadem 2.0 weapons hit. That was a raging...*ahem*...storm.

This is an interesting thread that seems to have quickly degenerated into a raider vs. casual debate. The question being, should putting more time and effort into casual content produce a weapon on-par with less effort put into hardcore content? That's what it comes down to, really. Yes, the relic/anima is shiny for glam purposes, but Yoshi-P stated the relic was always meant as an alternative to get a high-end weapon. Taking that into account, then yes, the two should be on par. How do you get to that big weapon? A bit of time and effort overcoming hardcore content. It's the quickest way. But if you are unable/unwilling to do that, then the relic/anima is an alternative. Easier content, but be prepared to grind your life away. And let's be honest, anyone who ground out umbrites pre-nerf ground their life away (120-160 ARF runs *shudders*).

So, that's the argument. Skill vs. Time. Yoshi-P wanted both to be viable ways to get an endgame weapon. Tell me, what would be wrong with having a relic/anima weapon being on par with a relic weapon? Serious raiders would still gun for the raid weapon as it would be a lot quicker/easier to get. They wouldn't stop raiding just because relic/anima was available. You might lose some casual raiders, but outside of pugging is that really a problem? And odds are, those curious about raiding would still try raiding with their relic/anima weapon. What would be the harm in the relic/anima being the same level as a raid weapon?