Most of items and equipments in this game drop from monsters ,herbs from gathering ,metal from mining in the field.(or from a farm you owned.)
You can buy some basic items or equipments from shop ,but for better quality equipments you gotta collect materials by yourself.
Boss monsters in MH can kill you withing few hits.You can kill them alone if you got enough experienced(which mean die again again again and again to learn their steps.)While going in a group'll be much easier ,more effective and lesser time. :D
You can see some cool clips from experienced player here if you want. XD
http://www.youtube.com/ChromeDeathRazor








