Suggested Elementalist weapon sets

What weapon sets should I have as an elementalist (and for all intents and purposes lets say I'm only using skills from one attribute and that we're ignoring death sets)?

Also, can you describe what is used (e.g. specify if the +enchanting set is a staff or martial weapon+shield)

Thanks

EDIT:NOT CONCERNED WITH PvE

40/20/20 (HSR 20% inherent, 2xHCT20% <element>, 20% ench) ench staff of the element you chose, 40/40 (HSR 20%, HCT 20% <element> wand and focus) spam set of the element you chose, spear (AR+5, En+5)/shield(HP+30, AR+10 vs <damage>) defensive set.

Another question: why is +5 Energy better than 10% HCT? Is it because the chance of HCT is so low it isn't worthwhile taking it?

Thanks

Well, i think it's a matter of preference. I tend to see the HCT as a good bonus when you are spamming spells (this is the reason why i never give HCT's to heroes), so you can get the most out of that mod. So, since if i want to spam i use my spam set, and not my defensive set, i don't see much sense in putting an HCT mod on the defensive set. I prefer to have that +5 energy to cast some important spell if it's needed. However, this is only my personal choice.

You don't use spells while you have your defensive set equipped, so you can even use -5 energy to protect yourself against energy drain.
But you only need an defensive set if you're intend to switch your weapons during a fight, otherwise you can just as good run around with a 40/40 Set all the time.

For PvE:

Insightful 20/20 earth staff of Enchanting
40/40 earth set
Longbow of Fortitude for pulling
Caster spear and HSR 20%/+30hp focus

I usually have the spear/focus equipped and rarely use the 40/40 set at all. I'm pretty lazy about swapping sets.

I have an Insightful +5e staff of Fortitude with an energy-storage req that I use with various non-earth builds (spirit spam, discord caller), replacing the earth staff.

For special farming builds I have a selection of other focuses that I use with the spear. For example, a focus with HSR 20%/+45hp (stanced) used while farming vaettir. An energy-storage focus with HSR 10%/+45hp (enchanted) is good for an ER Infusion healer build.

For the most part I find HSR to be more important than HCT in PvE. Getting a two-second cast down to one second is not much help against the reflexes of AI foes with interrupts, and the good ele spells all have cast times of 2-5 seconds. Getting the spells recharged faster is always helpful, whether they get interrupted or not.

Def set :-5 energy +5al martial weapon
+30hp +10al vs type of dmg shield
40/40 set
+30e - 2 regen set
40/20/20 staff or 40/40 for another attribute.

As a caster you need defensive set, casting sets depending on your build and high energy set.

As defensive set you would want -5e or 10% hct or hsr depending which is more useful for your build. As a monk i usually use +5e because sometimes that 5e is just a must when forced to sit in def set. Other casters don't have to cast while sitting def set so other mods than +energy mod will be more useful.

Caster set is either 40/40 or 40/20/20 for each attribute used depending whether using enchantments or not.

High energy set is useful when needing extra energy for whatever reason.