Re: EQ pedal
The more bands, the more control. Parametric ones let you pick the bands you use, which is also useful. Active boosts are in EQ pedals as well as passive cuts like the tone controls on most guitars. They can be used for EQ shaping, but many use them as gain boosts, in front of the amp they can hit the front of the amp hard, and cause certain frequencies to drive harder. Very powerful.
My favorite is the MXR 10-band EQ, but it's pricey. Also good is the Electro Harmonix tube EQ, and the BOSS GE-7 is a bit noisy, but affordable and good.