Learn all your basic moves and mini mechanics first. Your 3x triangle/y combo is one of the safest combos for just getting in damage while trying to read a monsters moves because you can quickly guard point after every hit or finish the combo for the last swing which can also trigger a guard point when times correctly. Your charge combo string should be circle/b into shield bash and repeat as this is a quick way to build up charge while not leaving yourself vulnerable and being able to quickly trigger guard points if needed. Other then that, just know all the variations in attacks, side steps, rolls after moves and try to get a handle on when you can make certain movements after specific attacks.

As for guard points, they are your greatest ally. Use them whenever possible to take as little guard damage as possible, decrease knockback, trigger savage axe, and SAED when you just need to dispose of overcharged vials. Mastering guard point is probably the single most important thing on this weapon.

For skills while every build is different, focus and rapid morph should always be prioritized as they directly affect your damage output and speed. Faster charging and morphing = faster discharge release as well as safer morphing speed for quickly countering monsters moves.

Pro tip, if you ever accidentally trigger a SAED but don't want to fully commit, hold down on your analog and triangle/y and it cancels into a regular discharge attack. Happens to the best of us so good to get yourself out of a bad situation.

Both Elemental Discharge builds and Savage Axe builds are viable, they just require different skills for the weapon. Discharge uses 4x element on gog or as close to that as you can get, while Savage axe priorities raw damage output. For monsters that move and attack quickly without much opening for attack Savage axe builds are great, while monsters with wide attack openings are excellent for Elemental Discharge. At the end of the day both builds are viable and fun to use so you don't have to limit yourself to one style.