I welcome relics becoming a constantly upgradeable piece of equipment that follows you throughout the levels. Eventually other items should displace them (in terms of absolute min/maxing), but upgrading them should at least get them within striking distance of BiS (best in slot) weapons. Here's what I'd like to see.

Patch 2.XX new omgwtff weapon gets released, several item levels higher than relic, becomes BiS
Patch 2.XXb more side content added, starter upgrade quest
Patch 2.XXc Upgrade quest finalized. Relic is missing maybe 0.05-0.1 weapon dps and a few attribute points off the BiS weapon (or different secondary effects)

This way, relics stay pertinent (especially if you have horrid luck with drops or lots of competition in your shell/free company), but not 100% required. It's still a great idea to invest time in one, just to cover yourself and to give you more options. This could work in a similar fashion when the level cap is raised. Relic owners get a bonus quest or two during the leveling process where they can bump up the stats of their weapon. Granted this may take more time and effort than simply doing a dungeon and hoping for a drop, but it keeps them relevant and encourages completion of that old content.