If you are going to get a multi effect pedal don't waste your money on a cheap one. The better you get, the more you will be disappointed and you'll realize it's easier to use separate pedals and they will sound so much better. I agree it would be better to start out with one good pedal rather than a one-size fits all pedal. My suggestions:
1. Drive/Amp modeler/boost: Sansamp VT bass. World of sounds at your fingertips for shaping tone/drive. That would be my number one pedal. Definitely can get some great sounds for all genres.
2. Some sort of filter definitely would be number two. There are a ton of great filters around the 150 or less mark new or used. They all have their own sounds. Bassballs, Enigma, Qtron, EBS Bass IQ, etc. (BTW do not get a Digitech Bass Synth Wah. That is not a good pedal to use by itself in non-experimental band settings. The guys in your band will look at you like uh.......). It took me a long time to understand how important filters are until I started using them in combination with other pedals. They can add so much or just enough to make the world of a difference. By themselves they can funk it up.
3. Octave pedal. EBS Octabass, OC-2, POG, MXR Octave Deluxe etc. I think an OC-2 was my first effect pedal and I didn't learn how to use it right away, but it probably gets used now more than anything else as a subtle effect in a basic rock setting.
4. Fuzz. Take your pic. There are a million and they all do the same thing just in a million different subtle ways which is why I'm addicted to them.
Anything more than that and you will definitely start to acquire GAS!
