Im new, I have a few questions

Well, I dont even have the game yet. I think Im buying it tomorrow..sooo from what Ive read so far (3+ hrs haha) I still have a couple questions.

1. I guess you can change your secondary profession sometime thru the game...what are the advantages/disadvantages of doing so..and basicly whats the point.

2. In the builds section I keep seeing these builds for char's with "55hp XXXX build"...what does a 55 hp build???

3. Im thinking of an E/Me or N/Me as my first build, any suggestions?

4. Ive played Diablo 2 for..too long..lets just leave it at that, and Im really into the PvP, but I assume I shouldnt just jump into it, aka gain skills/experience. Plus you need to "unlock" skills?

5. Joining a Guild...I dont know anyone that plays this game, so is it better to join a Guild? I would wait until I can get into a decent one and not just a "XXX come join our guild were 1337!!" or is it worth waiting until you can make your own?...Is it even possible for someone new to go through the game without a guild/someone to constantly play with?

6. Any general comments welcome and appreciated.

EDIT: 7. What is pre-searing? I keep hearing it brought up but I dont know what it is

1. Yes, but not until some considerable time into the game, not until you're nearing lvl 20, which is the level cap at the moment (it takes a while to level, however, which makes up for it).

2. I'm not sure, probably a char who has low health, because he/she has major health losses by having lots of runes used (which are things you apply to armor to give attribute bonuses, but they come at a cost of a loss of hp).

3. Not much to say. Main mesmer type is domination for interrupting spellcasters.

4. When you make PvP chars, you can equip skills you've already learned/bought on your PvE characters, or you can unlock them from PvP Priests Of Balthazar.

5. Check out GWGuru's guilds, we have some pretty good ones. I made it up to Yak's Bend before trying out a guild, it's pretty optional as to when you want to join one.

6. Welcome to the wonderful world of Guild Wars. Hope to see you on some time, and make yourself at home here on the forums, too.

Ill try to answer the questions as best I can. Im fairly new myself.
1. As stated by previous poster you can change secondary once you get to the Crystal Dessert, and complete the requisite quests, you may change your secondary to whichwever other secondary you like(you have to have completed the quest associated with proffesion). The point is you can change back as well, or change around as much as you like. Believe me this comes in handy.
2. 55hp character is one that makes use of the Protective Spirit(IIRC) skill which makes it impossible for a foe to do more than 10% of your total HP dmg to you in one strike, in other words 5 hps if your a 55hp monk or whatever. So you cxan take ten hits form the largest monsters in the game, very handy for farming, but thats about it as far as Im concerned(just my opinion tho.) NOTE one gets his hitpoints down to 55 usuing superior runes which take 75 hp's off for every one you use, it is capped of with the 'infamous' -50hp Grim Cesta. This is a very elementary description, theres volumes written on 55 builds, by people much more eloquent with words than I. Theres a great guide at GuildWarGuru right now, advertised on the opening page...
3.Ele/Me is my current build, but builds are very personal things, or I think they should be, so experience is the key here, youll learn what you like, etc.. etc...
4. Theres nothing wrong with checking out PVP right away, but the best way to learn the 'game' is to play through, get a feel how the differnt spellls and effects work. Ascalon PVP arena is good for beginner PVP. Ignore the rude people, or report them, generally Ive found if you ask a question politely someon will answer, not always tho...
5. Guilds, as stated by previous poster, cant add anything to that, personal choice basically. One thing to consider , I joined a guild that utilises a forum board of their own, so its a good place to ask questions of your guild mates, Im sure theres the same sort of thing here at GWG, havent checked it out.
6. Go out and buy the game tonight if you still can, you will love it, I can almost guarantee it .Anet/NCSoft have been doing a first rate job IMO, and GW's kiks on most other Online Games, you cannot get a comparable experience for the same money anywhere, and dont think by not charging a monthly fee, you dont get topnotch gaming. Dont worry,if you loved Diablo, youll love GW(I did, and do). If you see me in game(IG), my IGN(in game name)is Meeso Rusty, dont be shy, happy to help out enthusiastic newcomers.

Ele/Mesmer works pretty well if you put points into the Inspiration Magic line (you won't need to really at the start of the game) for energy management. That was the first build I played as well, didn't have too many difficulties with not being able to do what I wanted.

1. True. no disadvantages able to try out many endless builds.

2.Solo monk or Mesmer or Necro i believe.. dont worry about that just yet.

3. Builds depend how your skills work.. always need energy management..defense and offense

4. Ya unlike Diablo 2 LOD cant spam multi shot ^^..way more balanced PVP

5. Tons of guilds are spamming everywhere for joiners.. stick around and see which guild you like.

6. No problem.

EDIT: 7. Pre-seering is the area before the second half. Where you start off and further into the game the second half called Post Seering.

Pre-searing is the newbie zone. The game is divided into three parts.

Pre-Searing - Newbie Zone
Post-Searing, Pre-Ascension - Middle Game
Post-Ascension - End Game

Regarding PvP, you can try making a PvP character and playing some with him. I'd recommend trying out the Assassin and the Ritualist. They'll just be here until the end of the weekend (they are the expansion characters and this weekend is a free preview). If you are going to PvP, I would always make a PvP character to do it (feel free to delete PvP characters after you are done with them), since PvP characters get access to much better items than PvE characters, until you get to the very end-game.

If you noticed, the new login screen has PvE chars on the "Prophecies Campaign", which, FYI, I believe is the ENTIRE PvE game so far, since my ranger, in this "post-ascension" era, is under it, as is my Post-Searing elementalist, who was also on the prophecies campaign in pre-searing. I expected something like...

Pre-Searing
Post-Searing
Journeys Campaign
Warring Campaign
Prophecies Campaign
---
Or something like that. With prophecies being everything ascension and beyond, since it relates to the "flameseeker" prophecies.

1)Yes u can change ur profession towards the end and that is going to be a choice you make also ur choice you dont have to change if you dont want too
2)55hp is for a monk who does solo farming they are called invinc monks
3)my first char was a r/n but not enough healing power so i changed it later to be a r/monk which i really like since i go to UW alot and am looking forward to going to FoW(when i get my puter fixed )
4)with PvP try the arenas in post-searing loads of fun and u get fraction which u can use to unlock skills from the priest in the arenas...and u can see whats in store for you in PVP without junping right in with ppl who have been doing it since the game came out
5)dont worry bout guilds for the first time you play you will have lots of time to pick and chose a guild and if you do join one and ya dont like it you can always leave it i have a few friends that play and we usually group together and help each other out which is nice and these guys are all ppl i meet in the game no one i know before hand
6)Have fun with the game and if ya need help ask for it most will be nice enough to help dont pay for help though and if my puter worked i would be more then happy to help you
7)spend as much time in pre as u can to learn ur char dont rush and get ahead of urself collect stuff like wood and tanned hides squares u will need them in post collect dye and things u can sell later
Hope this helps you and if you need any help in game i will be more then happy when my puter is fixed to help you out my in game War Hound add me to ur friends list and just ask if ya need help