They made the Relic quest a succession of increasingly ridiculous grinds. If they don't reset it and start over in Heavensward, new players will literally never be able to catch up.
Don't use the word literally if you don't know its meaning. When i came back to the game in 2.3, i had only zenith. I found a coil group and in between raid/weekly soldiery i was working toward my novus. This once again is a "i dont want to" complain.
Also the expense required for the materia to make Animus is entirely out of reach of any players who aren't hardcore gatherers or crafters
The cost isn't bad at all if you go for more than 2 stats.