On that same front, are artifacts always better than 6*s? Meaning are relics only for SBs at this point? Trying to parse the knowledge out there seems like it has a language of it's own. At this point I only have a 7 different characters at 90, half way through the standard realm dungeons, 2 chapters done in record dungeons, no fully complete nightmares, and 8/12 through Trials VI.
Well, there are 2 types of artifacts as you know - the realm ones (good for Torments, and general Realm synergy usage) and the newly release Elemental artifacts.
The Realm Artifacts will have boosts to all elements when used in its corresponding realm, and give it additional stats through synergy.
The Element Artifacts will have elemental boosts, but no realm synergy. These are especially useful for Odin and other Magicite fights.
Natural 6* relics when used in their corresponding realm will have higher stats than Element artifacts due to synergy, and may or may not have realm locked elemental boosts to them, but their stats will be less than a Realm Artifact under synergy.
You are correct, Relics are usually referring to gear that provide soul breaks to characters.