A couple of my friends and I are about to finish the base game and head into iceborne. We are using natty gear (not defender or guardian) and I know that there are some harder monsters and raids in the base game, but most posts I see recommend going straight into iceborne. We will probably go into iceborne, but if we will also want to experience the raids at some point. So,
1) what gear should we be wearing? I assume iceborne gear will be much more OP than it is balanced for, does that mean we still should farm base game stuff to "gear down" for it?
2) is it doable with 3 average players? I know people solo them as a feat of strength, but we are just average gamers.
3) I read you have to have tank/support/DPS, can any weapon do any role or is it specific?