Okay I don't have much time tonight so I going to cover this shortly.

The First thing you need is to understand you materials, and I mean Understand Them.

Here is a list of the basic things that I use for my Maps:
Canson Sketchbook
Canson Tracing Pad
Pentel EZ#2 0.7mm Mechanical Pencil
ZIG Memory System Millennium Series Art Pens sizes 005 - 08
Pentel Hi-Polymer Eraser
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils

Now Of Course I dont suggest using those exact tools, use what feels best for you this is just what I have gotten comfortable with. Play around with your tools for a while and get a feel for them.