Yeah, I was pretty overwhelmed when I started reading about all the different pedals you can string together. I don't really know anything about it, except that I like the Les Paul sound. I do however enjoy blues style guitar like John Mayer and Hendrix...probably will have to get a Strat one day in the future as well.
Mostly everything from Foo Fighters (pretty clean, a little distortion) as well as heavier stuff like Metallica, Creed, and Staind. I haven't worked my way up to solos yet, but am slowly working towards different tunings, especially Eb and D.
I don't think I need anything fancy, probably gonna go with some type of used Marshall combo (tubes if I can afford it). Definitely gonna stay below $500 until I get good enough to need something else.