Haven't played in a long time. Kinda lost
The DPS/support fractal build still looks relevant. It may appear old but the game hasnt really changed that much profession wise since the expansion came out. I’ve run various version of longbow marksman. Some with ‘lead the wind’ and some with ‘remorseless’ with ‘wilderness knowledge’ and survival skills for reliable crits. Right now I’m more on the druid side of it with a hybrid healing build.
Marks (if using longbow), Skirmishing (for spotter and quickdraw) with either druid or beastmastery and youll do fine.
Metabattle is really a very helpful place to come back to and find footing after a break.
I would suggest my best advice is to be open minded with PvE; staff is really just that good and we shine best in raids as support and healers, our condi damage as ranger gets us in groups, or you know see what your local rangers/druids are running around with.
Welcome back!