Relic users get hosed in general, really, they're supposed to do something unique and interesting, which I respect, but they rarely succeed in, and more often than not, by giving them a unique purpose, they're either only useful to a VERY select few people, or they're only useful in a VERY select few situations.
A few exceptions are of course present.
Add on top of that, that they're not even good for anything but their bonus, a ranged weapon can still be used to hurt someone in a pinch.
Just make relics a third trinket, effectively, give them a base stat adjustment/passive effect, one that's very easy to make use of, and then an on-use effect that's a little more novel.