Tips for general improved play
Maybe this helps:
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/elementalist/Resources-for-New-D-D-Ele-s/first#post3467008
Care to show us your build? Sounds like you’re using the glyph heal which really is not a good idea. An optimal build gets you a long way. We’ll work from there
ah, my apologies. here is my build, and much appreciated for the link!
The first important step in D/D play is to learn to have as little downtime as possible between spells. Avoid using all autoattacks other than the air attunement one, and make sure you swap attunements as soon as you begin channeling the last spell of the attunement you need. Sounds obvious but is pretty hard to master.
Secondly, pretty straightforward, landing your fire spells is crucial. A little trick that can help you is placing your camera above your character when using burning speed, resulting in a much shorter dash which helps you land it on melee opponents. But in all honesty only practice will get you there.
You mention that you play defensively, that is generally not a good idea. Part of your defense as a D/D ele is overwhelming your opponent, putting him on the back foot, taking the lead, whatever you want to call it. A good way to get used to that is not use ether renewal for a little while, but signet instead, since ER relieves your pressure too much in 1v1s.
As a D/D ele, you are able to disengage from fights with most professions. Do this when you have run out of cooldowns and are not winning the battle yet.
Lastly, you have immense over time heals at your disposal. Learn to maximize health gained from them, and you will find that that implies spending as little time as possible in water attunement, to get the swap to water attunement bonus as often as possible. That also helps you keep up the pressure.
There have been a couple threads like this one the past few days, might wanna look them up for more advice
i’d try suggesting duels + spvp hot joins.
if you can pvp, you can pve. not the way around.