You're going to want to have a Multimeter around. They're handy, and you can use them to confirm that the circuit is working. You can also use it to determine if the resistance of your coil is correct. I picked one up from the local hardware-type store for like 12-15 dollars. It's a cheap one, so I'm not expecting it to do any fancy tricks, but it does what I need it to do.
I use NiChrome wire for my builds... I've read that a lot of people get a metallic taste from it, I've never had that problem, myself. Maybe the metallic taste doesn't bother me. I've also found that it's a bit softer and easier to work with than Kanthal.
Also, if you're planning on building anything <1ohm, you really need to have an IMR battery, and I'd point you toward the AW brand. They're known for good batteries. They cost a bit more, but you get what you pay for.