See Arreks Gaming and Gajin Hunter on YT for good tips and basics. But some of the best starting weapons are dual blades (if you like hack and slash games like DMC or God of War), Lance (if you like guarding and poking the monster to death, and Light Bow Gun (if you like evading, and playing from range). Don't be afraid to try the other weapons and don't be afraid to come back to the game if you put it down for a while. Monster Hunter did not click for me the first time I played. It took several hours of testing weapons and learning mechanics before I began to love the game. If you are willing to put in the time, it is one of the best gaming experiences conceivable, but it is not an easy game. You will die. That's part of it. You will get better and eventually become neigh immortal not because you've got great gear (though you will get that too), but because you've learned monster's movement and tells so well that it honestly begins feeling like they're moving in slow motion.

It's a 10/10 imo and 11/10 with friends.