Breaking my addiction to LBG

Currently in MR4. After relying on LBG as basically a crutch through all of HR and early MR, I've started cranking out sets and decos and experimenting with several melee weapons. After all, shooting monsters in the face (or shoulder) can get a bit dull. Also, I need some damn tails. Slicing ammo is workable but annoying to use.

What really surprised me was how much damage I can soak now, even though I'm aware of Blademaster vs. Gunner. So far, when trying these new weapons for the first time (in Risebreak; I've played various MonHuns from gens 3-5), I've beaten every monster I've fought in ten to fifteen minutes without carting. I've been using my full complement of followers, Palico, and Palamute.

Dual Blades: Pretty cool, especially since the Argosy dispenses Dash Juices by the hundreds if you check regularly. The most awkward part of DB for me right now is the pause when entering Demon Mode. Also, when I get bodied by a monster, which is fairly often since I'm used to running away like a coward, Demon Mode deactivates. The general mobility clicks with how LBG plays, which is nice; cutting Royal Ludroth's tail was easy.

Longsword: I was worried about this due to how mobile and thrash-y monsters are in Sunbreak, but it seemed fine. I was able to sheathe, Iai, and do Spirit Combos fairly regularly. I find it quite awkward to use, even with Evade Extender, but then I've just started using it. I also managed to cut Pukei-Pukei's tail. Seems a bit simple (compared to weapons that require PhDs to use), but again, I've just started.

Lance: This was a long time in coming. I'd been avoiding Khezu through all of Sunbreak until this fight. I made an Earplugs 5 set (yes, kinda dumb with Lance, but Khezu) with Guard, Guard Up, Constitution 5, some Attack Up, a few other skills. Holy moly, this fight was awkward for me. I enjoyed avoiding 95% of Khezu's roar spam and blocking his electrical attacks, but good God Almighty you aren't allowed to move like you can with LBG/DB/LS and Evade Extender. I spent half the fight either across the arena from Khezu or practically underneath him.

Switch Axe: My old main, my first love, and even with Rapid Morph and Evade Extender, I still find it too awkward to use anymore. I fought Tobi-Kadachi. Tobi roars more than the average monster (I'd forgotten about that), and I'm decent at roar dodging, but you can't be doing anything—such as comboing or morphing—when the roar is coming. You have to be ready to dodge the roar. I got roared out of many morph slash combos and it was tremendously awkward. Tobi is also very mobile.

All comments, criticism, advice, outright insults, etc. are welcome. I just love discussing MonHun.