Hmm well I don’t think the Elementalist is nearly as bad as some of you seem to suggest.
I have my Elementalist at level 80 with relatively few problems. Yes, I would say Elementalist is a bit more involved than other classes (I consider this a good thing) for comparable results. I would say my biggest issue with Elementalist is that I deal similar damage to many other classes while being WAY squishier. I am going to guess that the intention behind this is that an Elementalist can kite (and has many abilities to do so) whereas other tougher classes cannot. I can pretty much take down any mob or group of mobs if they are melee. Only ranged abilities and mobs give me any real trouble (and that’s what you use utility skills for).
Elementalist advantages:
-My AoE ability is not only large and ranged, it is second to none. No other class deals as much AoE damage (and there are many, many mob groups in this game).
-My AoE kiting abilities are, also, second to none. While there are other classes who can kite a single mob much better, no class can kite an entire, large group better.
-Lots of utility survivability options and self-heal options (combine things like Water Adept Major Trait Soothing Disruption with Cantrips like Armor of Earth to gain a serious edge in survival).
-The most versatile of the classes with good damage, good healing, and great CC, almost all mostly accessible at will.
Elementalist Disadvantages:
-Single target damage output is either directly on par or less than other classes yet we are significantly more squishy (again I assume this is intended and based on our ability to kite or burst[with non-staff setups]).
-Doing significant single-target damage typically requires stacking everything you have onto that mob. (I assume this mechanic is based off of the fact that we have 25 abilities available to use in combat whereas most classes have 15)
-Underwater Elementalist is severely disadvantaged with poorer kiting options and reduced damage. Kiting underwater and still dealing viable damage is a near impossibility, but you still remain very squishy (also Water, our healing attunement, seems to deal the most damage underwater? Intentional?).
In fact, I would have to say with the exception of underwater gameplay (really dislike underwater Elementalist), the Elementalist is pretty solid and could probably use a few minor tweaks and buffs.
PvP, however, really is an entirely different story. I feel like in PvP you have to work twice as hard to be half as effective as many other classes. I don’t mind working harder, but I would like to be at similar strength to other classes and I do feel that the Elementalist is currently lacking in that respect.
You’re clueless too. you have 4 elements, giving you 20 spells A WEAPON! . Thats 4x more options a weapon. add weapon swap into it and you have SO MUCH you can do. And your damage CAN be on par. But without posting your builds, what you are using, and letting us show you how to be an effective el, you are really just talking out of your own noob circumstance.
sooo this entire thread is stupid