Tools are a subjective topic. A lot depends on the vehicles(brand, manufacturer), home age, and projects the tool procurer is willing to tackle.
I started off with sae stuff as I had(still have) the Buick GS455. I didn't buy metric stuff until I bought the first Turbo Regal and half the fasteners were metric. But if this individual has foreign or just modern vehicles sae is probably not even needed. I like a 3/8" drive set. Probably 6 point with shallow and deep and a hf ratchet to get going. It can be upgraded as funds and desires allow. I have craftsman, husky, kobalt, matco, and snappy ratchets. I like em all but some do better than others for specific tasks. I do love the snap on locking flex ratchet but it is too big for some tasks and I really like the 3/8 drive in a 1/4" body flex shorty but it is way out of the price range for a starter set.
As far as screw drivers that is another deal where the project decides where i fall on them. I have Klein for the home stuff and keep em in an open top carrier. Phillips, flat, a flat with wire loop maker post is handy for electrical work as I don't use the push in thing and will take the time to loop it and screw it down. But for automotive machines and lawn n garden stuff the snappy screw drivers just seem to work better. Not sure why and maybe it is my imagination but I have a drawer full of the snappy and craftsman that I use for that type repair stuff. I also have some of the hf orange hard handles. I cant say anything bad about them. I abuse them and such and they come back for more and I think for a dollar or two a piece you cant go wrong with them though I'm not sure they even sell em any more. as the last "free" set was black handle and they are different(I haven't even gotten them out of the package yet to try em. Though I got several sets to give and loan out).
I have Klein needle nose pliers with the stripper hole and love that. Line man pliers for grabbing stuff and squishing things. I bought some thomas & Betts squishing pliers for crimp connectors. Wow they are great(Had them probably fifteen yrs now but went a long time with out and looking back should have bought them sooner). I have some craftsman pliers that don't have the nut at the fulcrum they are just made together so they never get loose. I found a set like that at hf and like them too but had to spray the handles with hairspray to keep em from slipping off. I love me some channel locks, I have from little to the big Azz size and use them pretty regularly.
I too went through several sets of battery tools over the yrs. Nothing lasts forever. I even set out to replace the batteries in the ones that didn't work but for the cost and hassle it was much less hassle and less money to just buy another set of tool. Went through the 14.4 dewalt and Milwaukee(Last of the USA made Milwaukee when HD clearanced em) and am now using 12 v Hitachi that I think has just as much power as the 14.4 and is much lighter. I got them as rebuilts from a site that sends me emails(I'm sure it could be found with a search). I think I gave about $60 shipped for the drill, 1/4" drive impact, flashlight, two batteries, charger and a carrying bag. Also got a 5/8" hammer drill from them for like $30 shipped and a grinder and some other things, all Hitachi I'm sure it is the return stuff from lowes they repair and resell. I have a Milwaukee HoleShooter also last of the USA when HD clearanced for a corded drill along with several craftsman drills that never see the light of day as I use the battery stuff. I did pick up a skil 10.4 v as a deal for like $25 to try out. Cant kill that thing either, I charge it every few months and it sits on my work bench. It doesn't have mad power but for running screws in and out it is great.
I like a 25' tape measure. Though my dad will always pick a 16' though it has to be 1' wide so it will really stand out. I have some 16' ones but rarely pick one up. I did pick up a cool magnet thing with belt clip. Saves on the jean pocket as you clip it on and pull the tape off and it will go back on an stay with the magnet, pretty slick but not really needed for a starter. Speed square and a big metal square are handy for marking and measuring stuff.
Then you get into the things that are more specialized. I have a tile saw from hf. It works but boy is it messy. My dad has a bigger on with the sliding table and the big catch pan and stand. It is the cadillac but for a seventh the price the hf one does the job as I don't do tile every day. Sawzall is real handy as is a circular saw. Both are dangerous in the hands of a novice. I unplug them as soon as I set them down as habit from when My kids where young. They were frequent fliers at the emergency room as it was and I didn't want to be the reason for another visit. A mapp gas torch is real handy for heating things and sweating copper pipes. Kinda worthless if you don't know how to use it and can be super dangerous by burning your place down. I always recommend a partner to watch as you work to make sure you aren't burning things while concentrating on the thing you are doing. Grinder even a little 4" or 4.5" can do some real damage in the hands of a novice. Face shield, gloves and a thick apron might be in order.
I think the most important thing is ppe and the top of that list is a comfortable pair of safety glasses. If they are uncomfortable you wont put them on and that can be catastrophic.
You only get two so keep em as safe as possible. And don't put your fingers any where you would put your man part. You only get so many of those to start with.
Not really all encompassing but some of the stuff that fills my garage.
