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Episode 1: The New World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s
Click here for the stats of the equipment in this episode!
Click here for the descriptions of new inventory items this episode!
Our hero emerges from a crisis unscathed. Unfortunately not much hunting happens this episode, but I promise that the next episode will at the very least see us hunting down our first large monster to compensate. There are a couple of technical glitches in the video but they'll be solved by next episode.
As mentioned in the video, there are three decisions up to the thread in the form of a vote:
1) The name of our intrepid hunter
2) The name of her trusty Palico companion, the real hero here
3) A weapon type for our hunter to specialise in
A quick rundown of the various weapons, of which I have varying levels of competancy:
Greatsword: Slow attacks but very hard hitting with its charged attacks. Highest damage potential in the game. Surprisingly mobile due to its quick sheath speed, but requires a patient and deliberate playstyle to do high damage. I am not very good with this weapon.
Longsword: A relatively quick weapon that lets you fulfill your dreams of being a samurai. Has a "charge up the gauge" playstyle, with a very powerful dodge+counterattack move that is borderline OP when used well. I am alright with this weapon, except that I can't dodge for shit.
Sword and Shield: It slices, it dices, it slashes, it bashes. One of the most versatile weapons, you can stun enemies, do aerial attacks and use items with your weapon out, all whilst performing rapid attacks against the enemy. My personal favourite melee weapon and probably the one I'm best at.
Dual Blades: Unleash your inner Naruto as you run around slicing at a monster's ankles and shanking them until they fall over. Involves a lot of energy management and filling up a gauge. No real defensive abilities outside of being fast. I haven't played this weapon enough to get a handle on if I'm good or bad at it, but probably alright at it?
Hammer: 1) Smash enemy in head 2) Knock enemy out 3) Smash enemy in head more. A simple weapon with a simple moveset that does one thing very well: KOing monsters. I haven't played it enough to get an opinion on it.
Hunting Horn: 
A weapon that can support rather than a support weapon, you play songs that buff you and your allies in a similar vein to Invoker from Dota, all whilst beaning monsters over the head with a bagpipe/drum/lyre on a stick. I'm pretty decent with this weapon.
Lance: The most defensive weapon in the game, with plenty of counterattack opportunities to still deal damage whilst attacking. You can also charge around and turn yourself into a battering ram. I'm alright with this weapon.
Gunlance: Take lance, take away the counterattacks and replace them with big explosions. I'm alright with this weapon.
Switch Axe: A big axe that turns into a big sword. Relies on filling a gauge in either mode. Axe mode is relatively mobile, whilst sword mode hits really really hard. You can also jab the sword into monsters, latch on and make the sword explode with the best-feeling button mashing the game has to offer. I'm alright with this weapon.
Charge Blade: A sword and shield that turns into a big axe. Less mobile than the actual SnS and has a very complex moveset, that involves imbuing your shield with energy and filling up phials to build up power for a really big explosion. Whilst complex, mastering the charge blade will let you fluidly block attacks whilst you attack and also land one of the most satisfying big attacks in the game. I'm alright with this weapon, but could get much better.
Insect Glaive: The aerial weapon of the game, launch yourself into the air from any surface and zip about whilst the monster flails about below you. The land attacks also hit pretty damn hard. You get an insect buddy that latches onto the monster and extracts monster juice that buffs you, along with generating powder clouds that have fun effects. I'm not that great with this weapon.
Light Bowgun: One of the two types of bowgun, this is the mobile sort that can zip around and rapid-fire certain ammo types whilst planting down mines that provide a significant damage source. Whilst not very powerful, the high mobility and versatility makes up for it. Depending on what ammo types the LBG supports, it can be a sniper rifle, assault rifle, shotgun, flechette gun, elemental gun, grenade launcher, status gun or general support gun. I'm pretty decent with this weapon.
Heavy Bowgun: The other type of bowgun, this is more like a barely-portable cannon than a regular gun. Has low mobility but is extremely hard hitting, with special ammo that is either an explosive sniper round or a full-on gatling gun depending on the bowgun. Like the LBG, the HBG has a variety of specialities depending on the ammo types supported, with sniper rifles, assault rifles, shotguns, grenade launchers and mortars all viable methods of play. Considering I did more or less all of my first playthrough with a HBG, I'm pretty damn good with this weapon.
Bow: The classic ranged weapon, the bow is quite mobile and can hit very hard when played right. Has bottomless quivers and uses coatings to give the arrows special effects like "hit harder" or "blow up". Very useful against long monsters when the dragonpiercer arrow is pulled out. I'm ok with this weapon, but probably could be better.
This small writeup is by no means an exhaustive review of the various weapons, and there are plenty of text and video guides around the internet you can look up for a better explanation. With that said, happy voting, and see you at the next episode.