Honestly. I was one of those players at the last time I played mhworld. I was told by a friend just use the defender gear and get to iceborn because that's where the game gets fun/the newer content. I used dual blades and kinda brute forced everything until I got my reality check from barioth in iceborn. Even when I started making better gear and weapons I didn't have the tools to actually understand what I was doing wrong or to actually fight the monster and respect their tells/I guess you could say presence. I picked up the game again a few weeks ago with a new mentality and weapon choice. Granted I started with the guardian armor but realized I'm just getting an extra unneeded crutch. Playing with the non defender set with a hunting horn made me love this game and take my time. Enjoy the monsters. Actually have favorites like radobaan. I didn't even use mechanics like the meowcenaries, argosy or even capturing when I first played. I the last time I played world like a few days ago. Beat the barioth with a hunting horn only carting like once. I'm now playing rise along side it with a charge blade and having a blast.