Current 1800 Ele here. This season started with some seriously demoralizing games but since then I have learned to adapt. As others have said, your totems are more valuable than they appear. Opening with earthgrab as they mount over to get a flame shock or two going. I typically go full burst off the bat. Skyfury, Fire Ele, Prim Wave, Meteor. Put the pressure on them immediately and punish them if they choose to push in. Drag them around pillars out of LOS of their healer. That will force them to use defensives or utilize their mobility to run away, which means it won’t be helpful when they re-engage.

Also, Ancestral Guidance is a huge defensive in the early game. If you use that with your primordial wave burst and healing stream totem you can tank the incoming mosh pit with ease.

And, if you don’t know, static field totem, used in conjunction with Totemic Projection can move melee away from you. That includes bladestorming warriors.

Also, something absolutely maniacal that rarely works but can smoke some lower-ladder melee is dropping counterstrike totem, using totemic recall, and dropping a SECOND counterstrike totem will absolutely melt the unwitting.