The problem with Relics in FF14 is the ethos behind them. As they are, relics effectively serve as semi-disposable 'catchup' gear, whereas other games would maybe have them as prestigious rewards for a demonstration of significant skill (Ultimate Weapons take their place here).

If you want to have them function as 'catchup' gear, then what's the point in locking them behind an obnoxious grind? People will just ignore the content and find other ways to get weapons, and making lower-tier relics better than Savage loot results in the same issues as WoW, with mandatory grinds purely for the sake of it. And if you want them to be 'prestigious', then you'll have to make them worth the grind and eternally relevant for gameplay purposes, which this game isn't built around.