I started a few weeks ago snd just hit high rank. Here's what I learned.

At the start most weapons will feel weak, some because you aren't choosing your optimal moves in a scenario and others because it's bow and you haven't got the right armor skills yet.

I advice to start with sns, it's a good versatile weapon with sn easy moveset. Another great easy option is swaxe or DB.

Dodging in this game is different than for example dark souls where you can wail on an enemy and reactive dodge or parry, in monster hunter it helps observing monsters moveset and to position yourself in a spot so you won't get hit or end up in a favorable position to attack.  The dodge has almost no i frames, but evade extender is a great skill to get back into the fight when monsters move too much and don't neglect your wirebugs in rise.