I've tried to read as much as I can, but still can't decide.
Here's what I want out of the class. From what I've read, at end game, there are sieges and group PVP? That's what I'd really like to get involved in. Group stuff, either PVP or instances. At the same time, I like to deal damage, but still be an integral part of the team.
I think I prefer melee or archer.
So I've been reading up on Human, Elf, and DElf melee/archer. Are archers useful to end game groups? Which melee class is useful to end game groups?
Of course, the best answer is choose your play style. But I'd hate to play a class that really isn't valued in end game groups and group PVP.
And lastly, as a side note, if you could also tell me how the class you recommend does in random 1vs1 PVP.
First off, do not go Temple Knight (Light elf tanks). Archers are a nice way to go, but there are some drawbacks. Many slow mobs resist archery to make up for being able to kite them, and also they consume alot of soul shots (If you are new, soul shots are things that cost money per hit and double your damage output). However, if archer is still something that you are interested in there are basically 3 options:
Hawkeye (Human): Highest HP, Good damage
Silver Ranger (Light Elf): Highest Evasion/runspeed, Most self buffs (SR self buffs add run speed, attack power, defense to physical and magic damage)
Phantom Ranger (Dark Elf): Highest Damage, partially debuff/nuke oriented (PR have debuffs to take down enemy attack power and defense, as well as a drain, ice attack), PR are also the only class that gets a shot called Fatal Counter where if you are low hp, it does more damage to try and save yourself.
*Note for PvE(Leveling): Bow's take mana every shot, and there can be downtime so if you make a bow, i would reccomend having a dagger, especially if you like to solo which is what most archers do*
From your post, i know you are interested in mass pvp and seiges, and archers are the best mass pvper's/seige characters in game(dont anyone tell me nuker, because about 40 nukes in they got downtime). And as far a random 1 vs 1's go...There is a very good chance that a full buffed nuker can kill you before you are 1/2 through their hit points, also a tank could probably kill you too because their shields take your damage down a great amount, however almost any other class you could tear in half.
Prophet for the win. Is this a trick question? Go Prophet. Best buffs ever, and when you stick those buffs on yourself, you can turn into a nice Frigidare blender.
Nukers and archers make "better" PvPers, but don't expect to be contributing much to groups. You will pretty much be a one-man show. If anything, groups will contribute to you. A lot of people like that kind of power, but it sounds like you're more of a team player. And played properly, a Prophet can destroy a whole lot of people in open PvP before going down himself. Add to that the fact that Prophet buffs greatly enhance any group (for PvP OR PvE) and you have a winning combination.
Bladedancer - This is a Dark Elf class, they have awesome buffs in the form of songs they sing every two minutes, they are very desired in groups and they are still decent solo.
Swordsinger - Light Elf class, they too have awesome buffs and although they kill slow, they can solo.
Swordsingers are rare in game, they don't get the songs people really want for groups until level 49, though they do get the magic defense songs prior to that and those are great for pvp groups.
Archers are definitely valued in end-game PvP. But, then again, if you're talking end-game PvP so are tanks.
The important idea is that you're going to be spending a very long time getting this character to higher levels, and no matter how obvious this is, I find I constantly forget how mind-numbing the grind can be. To be honest, I think I would have taken my own life by now if I had chosen an archer.
There are very few classes that are worthless in endgame PvP. You said that you like to deal damage, where sieges and group PvP is concerned. If you are throwing out nukers, that limits you to archers, for the most part.
You might want to look into the Orc Destroyer. They are a melee - damage dealing class, that at high levels, during careful conditions, can deal absolutely absurd damage.
The melee classes that are most valued in pvp would be swordsinger and bladedancer. An archer party with swordsinger and a nuker party with bladedancer are SO much stronger than without. Both are valued in both parties, but it's rare that there are enough BDs and sws to go around. So sws is usually placed in the archer party due to their crit rate song, and bladedancers in nuker parties because of their m.atk and casting speed dances.
EDIT: this goes for pve as well. Though nuker parties are likely not to look for sws, but if there is one in clan that is good company, they will most likely get in the party too :)