thorgrit
Explorer
The starter set is very useful if someone doesn't know if they and their friends really want to get into D&D or not. It's a cheap turn-key solution (at least compared to other options) to get started. If he already knows he wants to get into D&D and he/you/someone is definitely going to invest in dice, PHB, etc. then the starter set is really only useful as the adventure inside (which I'm told is still good). If he's already into D&D and likely won't play the included adventure, then skip the starter set entirely.
As others have said, you can't go wrong with more dice. Amazon has lots of sets available and in bulk. But as pointed out above, check the delivery date if timing is an issue. Notebook(s), writing instruments, a dice bag if there's not one included with dice already, an assortment of miniatures, all good things.
Keep weight and bulk of items in mind when shopping. If he's going to be hosting the game at his place, then things like extra books, dice towers, etc. are easier to store. If he's going to play elsewhere, might want to hold off on bigger or heavier things, as he's going to have to lug it around to make use of it.
Regarding writing instruments, I tend to lose them long before they break, ink runs dry, or lead runs out, but that's me. I grab the cheapest bulk packs of pens and pencils. If you know his habits of treating things well and holding on to them, that might inform whether you spring for a couple of exceptionally great instruments that'll last 50 years, or a 24-pack of colorful BICs.
If he's going to DM and go with gridded combat and minis, then I'd suggest a vinyl playmat with wet-erase markers (crayola washable markers work great), or Gaming Paper http://gamingpaper.com/
As others have said, the #1 absolute most valuable thing to a gamer, if they don't already have it, is a gaming group. That is, people who can get together at regular times and game. If he doesn't already have that, and you can help with that, then dice, books, etc. is all gravy.
As others have said, you can't go wrong with more dice. Amazon has lots of sets available and in bulk. But as pointed out above, check the delivery date if timing is an issue. Notebook(s), writing instruments, a dice bag if there's not one included with dice already, an assortment of miniatures, all good things.
Keep weight and bulk of items in mind when shopping. If he's going to be hosting the game at his place, then things like extra books, dice towers, etc. are easier to store. If he's going to play elsewhere, might want to hold off on bigger or heavier things, as he's going to have to lug it around to make use of it.
Regarding writing instruments, I tend to lose them long before they break, ink runs dry, or lead runs out, but that's me. I grab the cheapest bulk packs of pens and pencils. If you know his habits of treating things well and holding on to them, that might inform whether you spring for a couple of exceptionally great instruments that'll last 50 years, or a 24-pack of colorful BICs.
If he's going to DM and go with gridded combat and minis, then I'd suggest a vinyl playmat with wet-erase markers (crayola washable markers work great), or Gaming Paper http://gamingpaper.com/
As others have said, the #1 absolute most valuable thing to a gamer, if they don't already have it, is a gaming group. That is, people who can get together at regular times and game. If he doesn't already have that, and you can help with that, then dice, books, etc. is all gravy.
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