Based on the acquisition rate, I wouldn't be surprised if relics are outclassed by something else. Both upgrades and "not even relics are safe" have been mentioned.

I wonder whether the top of the heap will have room for more than one weapon at a time. In FFXI, they created alternatives to relic in the form of mythic/empyrean. We learned alternative doesn't always mean better.

In what ways can an alternative weapon compete with relic in FFXIV?