@Lord
Each game, they balance the weapons around macro data from the previous one, to make low popularity weapons more playable and the most popular weapons less focus. Horn was the least used weapon in the world, and Ichinose is a hunting horn head, and wanted people to use it.
Leaks say it will have a separate mode that works like it used to, but as it stands, it’s definitely the best weapon for DPS, barring Long Sword (and LS has a bug where Helm Splitter does a lot more damage than it will in full game, so HH may be even closer to LS than we realize).
We do know that there are modifications and swappable moves in the game, per data mining and leaks, and the fact that moves shown in weapons showcase trailers were not in the demo, which already had 2 wirebug moves assigned. However, we don’t know to what extent, but it could just be wirebug movements. Kind of like how art could be swapped in MHGU as you unlocked more.
I really recommend Charge Blade and Switch Ax. Such satisfying weapons to use.
Based on your healing commentary, I assume you skipped World? I was so used to old-school mechanics that my knee shock response was to reject many of the newer QoL improvements (such as healing). But by the time I finished World, I realized it was for the best. There are no safe zones in an open area map, and more aggressive, smoother monster attacks combine to balance movement while healing.
But in Rise they changed it slightly from World. It’s more of a hybrid between World and old school. You get a partial cure right away, and then it slowly fills up over time as long as you don’t cancel or get hit. In World you didn’t get instant healing and in old games you got it all at once. This new system ensures that even if you avoid a throw or get hit during the animation, you will still be punished, but not a full penalty of 100%. More than 75%. That’s a fair compromise, I think. That little bit right away can be enough to keep you alive if you’re a little healthy while being poisoned.
If you are from the old school games this must be a lot of changes. I remember in World having to adjust to all the changes, but now they just feel normal.