iirc, Unite had an option that toggled whether moving forward was relative to the camera vs character orientation. If you remap the camera to the right stick, it’s way easier to circle-strafe. The left shoulder button is more ideal for sharp turnarounds, like if a mon charges past and is 180° behind you or after dodging
Claw = use the side of your left index finger to control the d-pad camera. Left thumb still on stick to move, and your middle finger takes over the shoulder button. For the record, the claw isn’t really a fond memory (to me at least), even if it’s a funny one.
If it were me, I’d just remap the right joystick to the d-pad so you can spare your fingers the pain!
Do you have other MH experience?
Longsword was a lot simpler in Unite so that’s a good medium-weight weapon that you can dodge easily with.
Sword n shield is very beginner friendly for its item usage while wield (very important while learning how to paintball consistently or learn the timing windows for healing)
Hammer is great for learning because it has more low-commitment attack options than other slow weapons while you learn your openings
Time to learn the claw grip, either on PSP 
or if you’re emulating 
it’s both if they have daddy’s trust fund – a rotten chicken laying rotten eggs. if they somehow started without being born into immense wealth, then they chose to step on everyone they could to ensure having power over others