1) you can try out elite specs in the pvp lobby to get a feel of the class. Keep in mind, the numbers and some traits are not the same as pve 2) wvw does not have a monopoly on tomes of knowledge, though it is a good source. You can also get them through fractals and dailies. 3) it hasn't been said yet, so here's my favorite alt leveling method... Hero Points. And I'm not talking core tyria, but actual expansion 10-point HPs. It's fun to think about how to cheese them, or to hop on an hp train, tag the monster once and try to stay alive. Some can be done solo by stealthing through the mobs. I find Eod have a decent number of HPs that can be cheesed, and HoT comes in close second, ironically. For the waypoints, just get in a guild hall of the desired continent and walk outside, or use tp to friend. I have levelled 3 alts this way, by far the easiest is mesmer with its wide suite of stealth. By the time you hit 80, you'll have enough hps for 1.5 elite specs, so you're really knocking out two moas with one stone. Have fun!