On launch, I bought all the D&D 4E Essentials books (except the Starter set). I'm currently very happy with the content, but I'm noticing more and more frequently stuff that I don't have:
- More items (even if the new rarity system is still a bit lacking).
- Superior weapons? All I know about them is through a helpful wiki
- One of my players asked to multiclass his ranger build.
- Another asked to build a Warden Shapeshifter.
- Another created a cleric with the Ritualist feat.
- I have no info what treasure I should give when creating players above level 1.
- I have no Paragon info apart from the bits included in the DM Kit and Rules Compendium, and obviously the powers the books have.
- Ditto for Epic.
- I need more info on how to create level-appropriate monsters from scratch or modify existing ones. Ditto for traps, treasure, etc.
- I'm planning an overarching campaign centered around Asmodeus, if that helps.
To clarify: I said no to the multiclassing guy then, because he brought me the question 5 minutes before session, wanting the change right then and there. I plan on eventually relenting, but I don't know what effect this will have. I said yes to the rest, but for now it's essentially "If you don't use my material, you manage your players, I'll try to give all the help I can, but no more".
Given all this, your recommendations would be to buy books (and if so, which ones, and in which order), to subscribe to ddi, both, or something else?