Obviously applicable to Mesmers.
The underlying system of combat is built around area attacks. This is why the majority of base weapon attacks strike multiple targets in the affected area, unlike other games which strike one target – the one you have selected. Our system makes things like positioning and facing far more important and engaging; this also means that the concept of ‘AoE’ is not as easy to distinguish and thus handle in different ways.
That said, we are currently looking at systemic ways to help with player pet and minion survivability.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/professions/ranger/Why-no-AOE-damage-reduction-for-pets