Greetings All - Returning Vet

[Supaskillz]

1. There are still plenty Of folks online, but certainly less than peak hours. In some ways it can be advantageous bc you can more easily get camps you want. It's possible a but more effort to get groups at tha t time or sole
Traveling, but I don't think big deterrent.

2. Many major raiding guilds have people across all time zones. Not sure about guilds focused specifically on your time zone.

3. Rangers are not too great in this time frame. They sort of have a jack of all trades problem where they are not ideal at filling any particular role, but that said if you like them go for it imo. They have lots of utility and do decent dps (just not very close to rogue or monk).
Wizards are great for raids but pretty meh in groups. Burst dps is usually not what a group wants... Unless it's an ae group.
Rogues are great dps, but monks are right there with them.

End of the day I think you can get groups and join a guild with whatever class. Pick one that appeals to you.

4.velious is in beta ATM. Deva are actively collecting info to get velious classic and release it. Hard to guess how long that will take. If it's me guessing, we are looking at 3-4 months or so. They have said no specific plans beyond that, but said they intend to keep it up and running. Possible custom content in the style of the classic content.

5. In the 50s best group experience in ae group 1 cleric and a pile of ench and wiZ. Outside of this I think you were close with your suggestion - tank, cleric, ench, melee dps. However plenty of groups can be effective, I wouldn't sweat this.

6. Trade skills still in demand to an extent. People still want tailored backpacks, jewlry, cultural. People will def buy silk, bone chips, pelts of lowbie mobs if this is your concern.