From experience: you need only the tools you are going to use.
After you compile a list from what everybody likes, I would recommend buying something that makes sense to you and use it (them) for a while to see how it works for you. And then add things as you go.
If money's not an object, get the best that you're comfortable with because quality of tools matters. . . if you will use it a lot.
It sounds to me like you are expanding your skill base with these new areas. Therefore, it is not a bad idea to ease into it because your direction within those areas may shift as you explore in an evolution natural to your creativity.
The tools and your artistic intent sort of grow in a leapfroging fashion in dynamic ways that may surprise you, but hopefully not leave you with a room filled with stuff you won't have time to explore enough until after the quickly shifting technological advances has left what you bought in the dust.
Personal testimony.
But I wholeheartedly agree, this is a great question to see what people use and get due value.
Having said that, I work with Photoshop extensively because that's what my job requires. I only use a mouse with that because it serves my purpose doing retouching and so forth. I don't do painterly painting with it so a mouse is fine.
On the other hand, for art stuff, the old bottom of the line very tiny Wacom tablet I use makes great lines which Artrage loves and that's really all I need it for. Would I love a Cintiq or an iPad? You betcha. But I'm no longer doing that type of work. And my fun money goes into my guitars.
Whatever, I can say this much, you will LOVE ArtRage!!!!!!!!!!! It's fantastic.
Last edited by D Akey; 09-11-2011 at 08:34 AM.
"Not a bit is wasted and the best is yet to come. . ." -- remembered from a dream