Elite skills basics

I am very new to GW, and think it is righteous. I was hoping that someone could explain the basics of elite skills to me. What are they? How do you acquire them? Etc. etc.

If it helps...I am playing a R/Mo and E/Mo. I have found that I really like the Elmo the best.

Thank you all.

Good fortune.

Seriously, the wiki will tell you everything you will ever need to know about this game. Check there first if you want before posting here.

Here's the link to the Elite Skills page:http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Elite_skill

List of Elite Skills by profession is here:http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Elite_skills_list

Hmmm...let me check it out.

Elite skills are 'better' than most normal skills and as such you can only have one on your bar (unless you run with a Cap. Sig.).
Elite Skills are gained by getting a Signet of Capture and killing a boss of either your primary or secondary profession, then activating the Sig. Only certain bosses have Elite Skills, and the Wiki (above) has a list of them.

While elites can be acquired via tomes, i recommend that you acquire them through signets of capture at first. It will be more friendly on your budget. At one point, when all your major expanses are paid (max armor etc.) if you have problems capturing a certain elite then tomes might be a good option but only if it's an elite you're gonna use or that you need for the skill hunter title.

Tijo, with Usurp being a new player, I rather doubt he's already unlocked Elites on the account he has. That being said, Elites can be unlocked in a few different ways:
A) Buying the with Balthazar Faction gained through PvP from a Priest of Balthazar
B) Capping one
C) Buying a Skill unlock pack
Any skill unlocked on your account can be learned from a tome of the corresponding profession. Ranger skills from Ranger tomes, for example. Elite Tomes allow you to learn Elite skills.

Elite skills are basically suped up skills. Either they act as 2 skills mixed together (for example Battle rage (warrior elite) causes 2x adrenaline build up and speed buff), or they act similar to a regular skill but have a fast recharge or act like a regular skill and do more of what ever it does (for example Energy Burn hits one bad guy for 90 damage with -8 Energy? but Energy Surge (mesmer elite) hits all foes in the area for 100 damage and -8 Energy abouts??).

Usually once you have access to elite skills your skill bar is built around that elite and to maximize the benefit of that elite. If you are ranger you can capture Barrage (hit up to 6 foes per shot, but removes all preparations). So you would be R/E and bring a conjure skill to buff the damage and have an elemental string on the bow, as well as the spirit that incrases damage a bow does. So the whole build is basically built around increasing the benefit of the elite, for the most part.

Have fun.