Honestly I find that the solution to getting a relic without the grind is to... not grind it.

When I saw the nature of the i210 step (and also how crappy the secondaries on the SMN relic are) I made the decision not to make any effort specifically directed towards it. All I do is buy a token whenever I have enough poetics/esoterics to do so. Since I'm gaining the tomestones anyway just from doing content to cap lore or farm birds or whatever, it's better than hitting cap isn't it?

I currently have 59 token items just from doing this and I also have enough Vanu whitebones and black copper gil to buy ten more just from doing Vanu & Vath quests for exp; plus almost enough allied seals for a further three, so I'll probably be done by the time I get the fifth oil from the towers quest in two weeks' time.

In short, it's really only a grind if you want it fast.