So, given that there's already been so many versions of relic weapons, with long quests involved in order to get the next upgrade, I'm wondering how this is all going to play out come heavensward.

When the relic upgrades first came about I have to say I was really disappointed. All that work for a weapon that was still not top-notch. So I basically stopped after a while, because with each update it became more and more apparent they would never be the best weapons you can get, and thus to me are not worth the effort.

I quit playing for a while (not long before the dreams of ice patch) and recently returned, to find (to my surprise) that they received more tiers and are now at least on-par with the alternative highest weapons in the game! While I think this is how it should have been from the start I'm glad they are now.