Cooool! You guys play MH: World too! Same here, I've played it first on the PSP. I played Monster Hunter Freedom back in the day and it was the only other MH I've ever played.
I love every minute of this game. I already put in 210+ hours into it. Using Sword and Shield as my main, Dual Blades as secondary, and I just started LBG this weekend.
I agree with Charge Blades and Switch Axes as powerhouse weapons --- specially the Charge Blade. Literal beast. The skill cap of both weapons are very high. Long Sword is pretty awesome too, it's what my brother uses and it hits pretty hard, specially that move where they jump in the air and hit multiple times when they land.
Gotta say though, I love being the odd guy in a group, using SnS and pretty much being the utility guy in a 4-man team. Quick flash pods, paralysis with my Girros axe (forgot the name!), and decent mounting capabilities too. Can't kill as fast as the others but that's fine with me.