PvE Ritualist Problem

I am just having such a hard time playing ritualist. I can't decide on a build to use. I really need help...

First of all, I find that spirits seem very impractical in PvE since you normally won't be facing large groups (unless I haven't gotten far enough in the game)

Secondly, I seem to be having many problems when I switch to Channeling. I seem to always run out of energy and no way of getting my energy back up.

Please, I need help.

there is an item holding spell, Mighty was Vorizon , that increases your energy by +20, it really helps me with my energy manegment problems (im Channeling as well)

Look towards your secondary Profession to help you if you're running into Energy Management Issues.

indeed, but with those ashes and stuff, dont forget that u lose energy from your focus too?

I'm playing a Rt/Me in PVE. I'm enjoying her quite a bit. I've been leveling up Channeling and Communing equaly with a few points in Spawning and Inspiration.

I try to cast spirits just on the edge of aggro range since their effect has a range beyond that. Give a few seconds for energy to climb then engage the enemy. Once engaged, I hit the focused target with a Spirit Rift + Spirit Boon Strike + Spirit Burn. It works quite well.

Nightmare Weapon and Ether Feast for a little self-healing. For spirits, I'm using Union for a damage buff, and Pain for a little extra damage but also as a distraction for the first few seconds of a fight. Both of them to give Spirit Burn that little extra kick while they live. Spirit Boon Strike helps them live a little longer. Flesh of my Flesh is in slot 8. Too many hours playing as a monk not to carry a perma-rez if I've got it.

I'm using the preorder communing staff which gives an extra 15 energy, so that's a plus. Otherwise, timing your skills is important. I have no 'energy management' with this build other than being careful not to spam everything too fast. I just ran this Rit from The Market to Kaineng Center last night as level 18, still wearing her 45 AL armor from Seitung Harbor, with a party of henches. Didn't die once. Careful aggro management, IMO, is just as important in PVE as energy levels.

Another important strategy for PVE, that I think too few people use is... RUN AWAY! You don't have to stay there and win or die in every fight. If it's looking bad, get out of there. Hope that the henches/party members will break and follow, go back and rez the ones that don't, if you can reach them. Sometimes only one or two of a mob will chase you for any distance and you can turn around and handle them more easily than the whole mob.

Well I sometimes run into energy problems myself, i think that is somewhat unavoiable by ritualists, as it is by mesmers. However, i run a Channel, Commune build. If you'd like to call it noobish go ahead. However, ive found that if you have large spells (that have a great effect).. spirits. So i pack small commune spells to deal out some damage for me. All in all it works well, sure i need a few seconds of cool down occasionally but most of the time I handle my energy and damage well.

On my lvl 18 I'm running:

Commuing - 16
Channeling - 9 (or so)
Spawning - (whatever's leftover)

Anguished was Lingwah (Pain pet)
Bloodsong
Union
Shelter
Spirit Burn
Essence Strike (essentially a free nuke)
Brutal Weapon (very good on Assassins)
Flesh of my Flesh

First thing I do is summon the Ashes of Lingwah. By the time it's done casting half of the energy is already regened. Lay down Union and Shelter a little ways back. Step up to almost in agro range, cast Bloodsong. Drop the ashes and then pull them back to pets. Nuke til dead.
It took me a little while to get into the groove of playing a Ritualist. They are quite different than any other class. The only time I have energy problems is in a long drawn-out fight.