For those of you who didn't play Gw take note that classes are not built on specific roles like other mmos do. Example tanks dos healers Ecto <---- lol ect. Auto correct.
The challange in gear wasn't about playing specific class, it was about a limited skill bar encompassed with your personal ability to rely only on yourself. Self healing, protection, and damage.
Mesmer is a great class for its ability to tick enemy's while providing support for team players threw ticks like "every time a party member strikes a for with your tick on it, he is healed x amount"
Ele has always been a great class, I used to tank with an ele. Assassins coyld tank, healers could tank every class can virtualy do and play any role. As you dwelve into the game you will begin coming up with specific builds for specific situations unlike other mmos where you could just mash all your skills at one time.
Remember that when you choose your main class.