Okay, now i played it, with the sword and shield and the Jaggi quest. Wasn't too hard once i figured out the basic controls. I didn't need to apply any strategy, but i can definitely see how it could be applied (setting traps at the narrow entrances and whatnot).

Now i want to test out greatsword, switch axe, and long sword. Those are the other ones that look good on paper.

You'll know it is almost dead when it starts to pant, and salivate. Then it'll limp and try to get away. 

Some Tips:

-When a monster runs to another area make sure you do all of your stuff then; sharpen your sword, heal. This makes much less time wasted during battle, and more fluidity. This is especially for flying monsters that take a while to get to the next area. 

- Anticipate their attacks and dodge accordingly. This is probably one of the most important aspects, after a while you'll know the signs of attack, and you will know how to dodge them. Of course, sometimes you'll miss them as well. 

- Find out the strength of your weapon, opposed to that of the monster. A slow weapon won't work too well against a fast monster, because you will miss a ton. On the other hand, a big monster would die best with a bigger weapons, as  with a fast but weaker weapon you tend not to get close enough for the necessary time to do multiple attacks. 

- Use traps and bombs to weaken the monster in the beginning of a battle. Once it is weak then you'll have somewhat of an advantage. This depends on the monster of course, but for the ones in the demo this is usually the case. 

- If a monster calls another boss try to ditch that boss, either by attacking it so it leaves, or  attacking the main boss so it runs to another area. 

- Make sure you don't focus too much on dodging attacks. Remember you are hunting it, that means you need to attack it often. Otherwise you'll just run out of time. It is extremely frustrating when the monster is panting and salivating and running away to another area limping, and you run out of time.

"-When a monster runs to another area make sure you do all of your stuff then; sharpen your sword, heal."

I know about healing, but how do you sharpen a weapon?

"Use traps and bombs to weaken the monster in the beginning of a battle."

How do you use those? I don't see anything about that in the control booklet.

This should help. I don't have the demo(I had the Japanese version) so I can't really refer to the booklet. 

You should have 10 items called "Whetstone" in the inventory, at least for the first mission. Those sharpen the blade.

I tried to pick up the demo but my gamestop wont give it to me unless I preorder the game.
Which makes no sense because the demo is supposed to help me decide if I want it or not...

Yea I just came from there 25 minutes ago and they would NOT give me the demo; said I had to preorder the game to get it. Thing is, I have never paid for a demo in my entire life, and I'm not going to start now. The demo is supposed to give me an idea if I even want the game, why do they have to juice me for it?

If I had money for MH3 I would preorder, but I don't. I walked there for nothing and they wasted my time.However, I saw Cursed Mountain at the FYE for $8.99 so I might get that one of these days.

Yeah It's dumb to make us pay for a demo, and I'm pretty sure they aren't supposed to do that. I heard some gamestops are giving it for free if you ask and some say you have to preorder. On the official gamestop site it doesn't say you get the demo from preordering so yeah. Wasted my time too.

You don't have to pre-order the game. That's a lie they are pulling. Look up the official demo announcements from either Capcom or Gamestop and you can tell them that isn't a requirement.

At least our local Gamestop just had a box out where we could just take one.

I just got the demo (they asked me if I had preordered, so I told them the demo will let me know if I want to or not. She didn't give me much of a problem though, just trying to get a preorder).

I also found out I suck at the game, or at least I don't know how to kill the first monster. How do I know how much health it has left? I was getting huge combos on it with the long sword, but it killed me shortly after 10 minutes. Are there any tricks I should be using, or is there an easier weapon to kill it with?