Which race should I play?
Pretty much an aesthetic choice. I like sylvari for the variety of looks you can create, but that is about it. The skills you get make little to no difference in the long run from the different races. From a lore perspective, I suppose human makes the most sense, but only slightly.
Apparently, if you color it right with the glow and armor, you can make yourself look like a phantasm as a sylvari. There are even phantasmal weapons.
Though, I went human. In the GW2 story itself, it seems there are more human mesmers[Anise, Kasmeer], though both Norn and Sylvari make sense in it. This seems indecisive, but just giving some information on it.
The answer is always Norn! I remember one time when myself and my other 2 brothers made mesmers. The amount of fear it generates is really awesome, seeing 12 max-sized Norn staff mesmers shooting bolts. I remember just 3 of us held back about a 15+ small team from pushing a gate. They could’ve rolled right over us but not one dared to push through, it was hilarious.
Sylvari, with a (wooden) bullet. What other race can match their own glow with that of their illusions? Not to mention, there are enough humans crappin out butterflies, especially if you include plot characters.
Other 80s: Any but Warrior