Im in complete confusion as to how development with relics come to this conclusion, Ifrit titan and garuda WAS FUN! People ENJOYED IT! they felt amazing SATISFACTION from finally getting their items. Hard modes wasn't an amazingly hard content, in the slightest. it was just right in terms of effort and reward and was a challenge to overcome utilizing brand new exciting content. How many people have you guys even talked to and discovered that they didnt enjoy the way you got those weapons? For gods sake impediment polls for questions you want to ask to get accurate information on the true enjoyment of your players please. I've personally not seen any players who enjoy rehashed grinding EVER.
You have essentially (in my personal opinion) Taken an amazing idea that tied into the main story amazingly well, that had satisfaction reward and was actually interesting and turned it into .. well... something completely boring
Just for information i completed two relics without any nerf's only completed second and third coil when echo was implemented, i am in no way a hardcore raider. But relic always gave be something to work toward, and Felt amazing whenyou finally got this brilliant weapon to show off before the rehashing kicked in.
Id personally urge you to reconsider this. Id loved and played this game since before 2.1. but im just watching the life of things that was amazing start to be drained away
But thats my 2 cents.