What race for your GW2 Elementalist? - pre-release -

[Gorani]

After reading what CM's intention for the "race poll" in the Necro Forum was, I think we could have this conversation and discussion about the Elementalist here too.

Will race make a difference to your Elementalist?

Do you think that a Charr Elementalist will or should be played differently by you or other players than a Human or Sylvari Elementalist?

Asura -- 6.3% E
Charr -- 18.8% E
Human -- 34.6% E
Norn -- 12.6% E
Sylvari -- 27.7% E

When we take a look at the numbers compiled by Alaris in the profession forums (as of 8th of Sept.), there seems to be a strong hierarchy in which race to favor when it comes to the Elementalist.

Which race would you chose for your Elementalist, and why?

Personally I have made my decision: For me the Sylvari will be my choice.
Why?
Sylvari seem to be connected to the primary elements much more than the other races: "Water is life" is more imminent for a plant creature than a Human or Charr. It's (mainly) water that flows through a Sylvari's veins. The Pale Tree is rooted in the earth. That is so much more down to the core of the Sylvari's existence than an Asura who shapes a golem out of stone.
That close connection holds a lot of potential for me.

[Alaris]

I want to make sure my elementalist gets at least a summon, preferably a few choices. So that could weigh in... but I also don't want one of the "caster" races. In fact, I want charr, or better yet, norn.

The idea being that I like having race-profs that make sense in some way yet are not the norm. Norn or charr are obsessed about power, and elementalist seems a good choice.

[Gorani]

I want to make sure my elementalist gets at least a summon, preferably a few choices.

If we are talking about "creature" summons I think the Necro is the only one confirmed have those (well and the spirit weapons of the Guardian and the turrets of the Engineers). As far as I know there is only one racial summon skill: "Hounds of Balthazar", which is human.

Male Norn elementalist is something I can imagine Alaris, always close to the enemy. I haven't seen (or vividly remember now) any Norn female Eles and would favor other professions for the females.
Do you have a preference?

PS: My Sylvari Ele will be female, although more out of tradition than because of the dislike of the male variant (unlike GW1, where I didn't like the male faces, hair and ... dance)

[Alaris]

It'd be female, most likely. And my ele would be played as a ranged mostly. You don't need to get in range to be superior though, as a norn what matters is getting the kills, not so much how you do it. More power to me if I can get the kills before they even pose a threat.

As for summons, I mean of any kind of meat shield. Spirit weapons are grey area because they cannot be targeted afaik. I do count turrets though because even if they can't move, they can provide foes with a distraction. Asura will likely have golems (no need for confirmations), and I am pretty sure norn can call some animal friends to help out... hopefully not just elites.

[Redean]

My Ele is going to be Asura. Not so much worried about his connection with the world and elements, I wouldn't say he's crazed with gaining power but is interested. Power over the elements would appeal to him.

[GrimShade]

I'm taking a Sylvari Elly, probably a lady. The idea of a plant sending out anything but earth damage is funny. How will it effect play, I don't know but I'm mostly running with Humans, and I'm hard pressed to deal with other races.

I hear Sylvari have great grass textures.

[Alaris]

Remember guys, there are four elements. Enough to appeal to any race.

Sylvari might prefer earth and water ;)

My norn will likely use all 4, but I can see her being somewhat more attached to earth and fire, whereas gameplay-wise I find water more appealing.

[Xilisys]

My elementalist will most likely be Sylvari simply because of Water/Earth attunements seeming to coincide with their plant-likeness. Norn and Charr are more of warriors to me (soldier type classes). Asura would work as well, but I don't really like them...Human could work as well.

[BrettM]

My elementalist will most likely be Sylvari simply because of Water/Earth attunements seeming to coincide with their plant-likeness.

Yet there are a large number of plant eles in GW1 that use air magic. There are also a rare few that use fire, though I believe these are pretty much limited to bosses who use combinations (earth/fire for Seacrash and air/fire for Setikor Fireflower). It isn't really hard to justify the use of fire, since plants depend on the sun as much as on the earth and water.

[Gorani]

While Earth & Water seem to fit Sylvari more than Fire & Air, the later two could be seen as "the master" level of the profession: To control and invoke the power of Fire a Sylvari shows his expertise.

I see a trend toward Sylvari Eles so far...