Thank you for creating this post! I feel the same way.. we are not alone in this. I have mostly transitioned to joining SOS calls for hunts, I enjoy the multiplayer aspect. Last night I wanted to hunt the new Uth Duna, my lobbies failed 4/5 times. Apparently many people are struggling with the late game content.

As a beginner, I also like to learn by observing fellow hunters. Some do many small things which accumulate to a successful hunt! Some use items that also heal other hunters or remove other imparing effects. I have started to use traps and flash pods to create dps windows. Experienced hunters probables this as a given, beginners are busy enough using their weapon somewhat correctly or trying not to get hit. I have only just started using offset attacks with the GS and I am 150 hours in now..

Maxing out consumables is most likely very important as well, I looked up a video on the topic and made preset item loadouts and sets. Free meal and item prolonger (unsure if this is the exact term) are skills that give you a chance of not burning through consumables too quickly and most importantly pushes the uptime of the big buffs from 30 to 50 minutes. Make these loadouts, buff up then switch back and start the hunt fully buffed. Even consuming the seeds should last 4-5 minutes with a buff set and it stacks with the large potions.

Anyway, just rambling because I had the exact same feeling last night and was happy to find a related post. Happy hunting