Guild Wars 2

Im still learning so forgive what might be obvious to the vets.

OK, let me start off by saying that im not really a melee guy for various reasons. Ive been messing around with various classes and specs that appealed to me on the surface since joining a few weeks back but most of them are not cookie cutter or recognized top specs due to the reason above. I understand why melee range matters more, boon sharing etc… but its really just not my thing. I’m loving the game, but hate how its so melee centric, id love to see them extend the range of these things within parties but that’s another debate.

I’ve tried things such as staff ele for example and a couple others. Only meta class ive been running is a longbow ranger but they seem easily shut down by the powers that be so to speak. I have an ele thats almost 80 that i play mostly as staff, same with mesmer.

Most of the ones that appeal to me seem to be considered more of a “support” role, which is fine i guess in WvW but the minute I jump in sPVP or 1v1 in WvW im simply not seemingly effective enough, just not enough burst. Im still new so i not sure if its something im doing wrong, or if its literally just that the class isnt strong enough.

I know support/util roles arent supposed to be all that in a 1v1, but still, theres a difference between not being top dog and not being effective or viable at all.

I guess what im trying to get at is a better understand and perhaps suggestions about what classes that are more ranged in nature, have good utility, but can still actually be competitive in a spvp or 1v1… if there is s such a thing? If so links to builds would be great.

I feel like im missing something that should be obvious, but as a noob it isnt so i thought id put this out there and get some feedback. Is it really that support type classes are that weak or is it me?

Responses appreciated, thanks