I play SC:TBG alot with friends (sadly, they are not a threat), but I was wondering if should the expansion or just keep using the original?

If it were just for me, I'd answer "totally, completely and entirely" - since the expansion fixes many balance problems of the original very elegantly, and adds more modules and research directions.

However, my players were a bit overwhelmed by the plethora of options with the original alone, and I'm a bit scared that now that I have the expansion, it will be even worse for them

But I'll try and teach them, and I'm sure we will have fun anyway really, I can wholeheartedly recommend Brood War. A full box of new cards, buildings, modules, and tons of new well-sculpted units (finally, Lurkers! and Dark Archons with Mind Control!).

In brief: yes, it is.

I confirm with haslo.

The other disadvantage of the expension is that it doubles the price of the game, at least in Europe. Compaired to the main game the expansion is very expensive (has much less material and surely much less development time). The price of the main game is fine to me. Still I like the expansion. haslo gives all the good points.

Thank you all for the opinions.

I think I'm probably going to get it soon...

Has it been released world wide? Or just in America? Because I can't seem to find it in New Zealand...

I would definitley say it's worth it. I like everything new about it, even the defend orders; (which i didn't think i would).

I think the 3 new modules are cool, and how each race gets a discount for each of the three is cool.

They did a good job balancing out old units from the first game, mainly from terrans. For ex. in the original starcraft, there was 2 firebat splash damage cards, and 1 marine one, now it's 3-0, plus the firebat has a little more attack. And they made the goliath a little better too

The main thing I love about it, besides the new units, are the leadership cards. They so much more depth, strategy and imagination to each faction.