A new player can get exotic armors in wvw quite easily. Triumphant/legacy/crystal desert reward tracks. There is a 5% stat difference from the ascended armor, assuming that you cannot have enough laurels to input infusions on ascended (which, as a new player, you wont). Unless we talk about minmaxing here.
Bloodstone fen/ember bay/draconis mons/bitterfrost/lake doric reward tracks give you currency which you can use to buy ascended trinkets (rings-accessories-backpack) with SELECTABLE stats. Bloodstone fen actually offers a dirtcheap option to change the stats, too.
You will really not see that much of a difference when zerging with exotics vs ascended. It is mostly about positioning, knowing your class, listening to TS when comm says what to do etc. Do not think that exotic armor kills you , or that ascended saves you. I always use exotic armor on all my condi chars, and ascended trinkets (as they are easy to get, no money needed, you dont have to craft them).
All in all, unless you join a hardcore GvG guild, exotic vs ascended gear is not an issue. If you really need ascended gear, crafting it is not too expensive. There should be some sense of accomplishment in this game, after all, instead of just going ahead and getting most end-game armors/weapons with no effort. It is already too easy, as it is.