Relic RNG is def huge. But that is also part of the good design. it makes pathing choices very important. Can you take that elite for a relic? Like Rest vs card upgrade? super meaningful.
Trading starter relic for both, is a bad idea. Boss relics tend to be hit or miss. they can actively hurt you, without the proper setup. That you can pick one of 3, from a boss lets you choose one viable for you. but, trading your starter for a random one, is more likely to hurt you.
Even when it seems like The silents starter is bad.
Ive had two solid silent builds. one was infinate blades x2 upgraded. for 2 shivs every turn. With envenom, to stack poison on hit. I forget what the block was from. also, a reflect on block.
other was, the aoe poison on turnx2. with footwork. just block, block, block, and allow passive poison stacking, do its job.
only one ironclad win. it didnt feel as stable. hp regn relic, demon form, metalize at start. Ironclad relic was huge. damage was from doubletap, and precision strike. Actually skipped BITE, because of two precision strikes. Got the life steal attack towards the end.
Still needed to rest every rest, while silent spends most campfires forging.