They said in an interview that gear will require less materials to upgrade this time around to speed up the pace of getting new stuff.
Personally, the thing I'm most looking forward to is trying out new weapons I never really played like the Insect Glaive, Charge Blade, Bow, and Gunlance, as well as the Wirebug and Palamutes.
Also I freaking love the new mud dragon and the yeti bear, they're my favourites of the newcomers so far.
So how many of you are newcomers vs veterans, and for the latter what MH games got you started?