Ritualist or Elementalist?

As the title states, I've been hoping for some suggestions in deciding between elementalists or ritualists.

For the most part, I'm thinking of a character capable of some support healing, protection, wards, and damage output. (Yes, I'm bored of playing purely midline or backline) Originally, I've considered ritualists/elementalist since the restoration magic line can cover support healing/protection, channeling can be used for energy management and damage (ancestor's rage, splinter weapon, etc), and earth magic line can be used for wards and such (3-way split).

I've also considered going E/Rt instead - mainly because elementalists' energy management (ether prism) seemed so dam# attractive (compared to pain-in-the-butt Offering of Spirit). E/Mo would be a possibility, but it would require investments in healing and protection prayers just to have similar effects of investing purely in restoration magic. While E/Rt would be a good choice to cover all I've previously listed, this would need a 4-way split (energy storage, channeling, restoration, and earth magic). I considered taking out channeling magic entirely and relying on earth magic for conditions/damage output, but there doesn't appear to be much variety or effectiveness once I take out PBAoE spells and silly enchantments.

For such reasons, I'm leaning heavily towards a ritualist at the moment. I was wondering if there were any other issues that I might be leaving out. I'd appreciate any input.

Always the Ether Renewal Protection combo for eles.

eles are more versatile, mainly due to their primary attribute. i.e. an ele can do almost everything a rit can do plus a lot more.

since you mentioned e/rt ether prism, i assume you also plan to play pvp as well? eles definitely see more use than rits.

one of the only reasons i'd recommend rit, is if you enjoy spirit spamming (even though spirit spamming sucks ass... but hey if you enjoy it, don't let its uselessness stop you from having fun)

Go with the ele for sure. Until they fix spawning power I wouldn't bother making a rit.

Eles are the choice to go with, more versatile and if you do want to do damage then eles are the way to, rits are horrible damage dealers.

Rits are worthless junk that other professions can do as well or better until a Spawning Power/Ritualist general buff.

Eles can do... a lot.

Worthless junk you say?

I can support better than any old Monk fart I'll show you all someday!

Ritualists may not have the benefit of Energy Storage but if you play a lot of restoration magic (like I do), you should be past 12 in it which you can only do a primary.

I find a Rt to be more fun than the ele, but as the others said, you can do more as the ele. Rits have nice damage, but not even close to what an ele can do. The only thing a Rt can do better is Healing without being /Mo, and even there, a proper Infuser will outstrip a Rt.