I have a friend who only has one core set, and I am looking to buy her her first expansion. I am looking to spend $15, but will go up to $20. What expansion should I buy? I was going to buy Knowledge and Defense as well as Heroes and Legends if I can find both for the right price, but decided I would ask the experts. I thought about a second core set as well, but she plays recreationally and I thought an expansion might add more variety.

I read some of the other topics and unfortunately I can't afford everything I should buy., but would like to help her start.

Thanks for your help.

I think the biggest factors are 1) how she plays, and 2) what she likes in Star Wars.

1) If she plays competitively (or at least desires to) you'll want to get the strongest Force packs that support her favorite faction(s) and play style(s). If she's mostly playing casual pick-up games, getting the strongest cards may not be the most useful. In this case, you'd want one or two packs that help round out each faction. The two packs you listed will get her all 6 of the "Force resources" so it provides a sort of balance among all 6 factions. That seems more like the kind of purchase I would make for casual play.

2) Most importantly, you have to think of what she likes to play. If Jedi is her thing, getting strong sets like Yoda (Join Us Or Die) or Leia (It Binds All Things) will be better options. If she has a favorite character, find a pack that has that character. If she wants to experience a variety of Star Wars and be able to play all 6 factions, Edge of Darkness really is your best bet, even though it is a little out of your price range ($30).

Knowledge and Defense is an amazing pack and I think the single best force pack to date.

That being said Edge of Darkness could be a good purchase to get. Adds lots of new sets and two fleshed out affiliations.