Omg Anon I literally only just came back to Tumblr lol I hope you’ve found an answer since this message was sent like two weeks ago!
What you’re doing is pretty much what I did before I got into WvW fulltime. Just pugging along is a good way to get a feel for your server’s idea of WvW, but if you want something more substantial there’s a Reddit thread that can probably help (contains guides, builds, and Discord links for multiple [if not all] servers): https://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/9jrle4/wanting_to_play_wvw_this_week_with_the_buffs/
Keep in mind that the goal and idea of fun for each server/guild/commander is different, and that if you join a guild, they may have specific builds for each class--unless you’re a ranger or thief. They’re considered roaming classes and are usually more useful operating independently from the zerg. The commanders I’ve known and run with prefer those two classes to take enemy camps, retake our camps, or to keep watch over T3 structures. There are commanders who will welcome them into squad with no questions asked. You’ll get to know which commanders prefer what as you spend more time in WvW.
Since it’s only been a week since the WvW Mount was released, WvW is kind of a clusterfuck at the moment. You may need to turn down your game graphics to potato quality in order to see what’s happening. (I know of some people who have had to do that and their game still isn’t running smoothly at all--though I suspect it’s because of their ping and rig.) Also queues to get into maps may be out of control. If you’re on a high pop server, you have my sympathy.