MTG Star Trek set release date, Commander decks, mechanics, chase cards, and more

A first look at the new and returning mechanics, product types, and more

The Magic: The Gathering Star Trek set won't launch until prereleases begin on Nov. 13, but Wizards of the Coast just offered a first look at the Universes Beyond set during the July 14 WeeklyMTG stream. The meaty preview showcased the set’s many products, some of the new mechanics, and the ways the game’s designers are bringing back and transforming existing rules to fit the iconic sci-fi franchise. Here’s everything we know about Magic’s journey into the final frontier.

What shows and movies will Magic's Star Trek set cover?

Magic is covering all 60 years of Star Trek history ranging from the original ‘60s series to modern series including Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Lower Decks. Even the J.J. Abrams films will be represented with a scene box and a reprinted version of Sheoldred, the Apocalypse depicting Benedict Cumberbatch’s Khan.

What are the new Star Trek Magic mechanics?

Star Trek often focuses on Starfleet officers making tough decisions, and the Star Trek set emphasizes that idea with Dilemmas. A Dilemma occurs any time you make a choice on a modal card, which could be a classic like Vision Charm or one of the new cards like Consider the Prime Directive where the player decides whether to interfere and counter a spell or observe to stun a creature and draw a card.

The strength of the United Federation of Planets comes from the collaboration between its many members, and this is showcased in the Federation mechanic, which is based on the number of creature types among non-Borg creatures you control. The rules specify non-Borg because the Borg don’t work with the Federation – former Borg Seven of Nine is a human scientist, not a Borg. The rule means shapeshifters also don’t qualify. The Borg will be represented with Assimilate, which lets players put a creature on the battlefield under their control as a Borg artifact creature with a +1/+1 counter on it.

Unsurprisingly, Star Trek will make heavy use of the spacecraft mechanics introduced in Edge of Eternities. There will be five uncommon and five rare Sagas to represent classic Star Trek episodes like the Original Series’ “Amok Time” and Deep Space Nine’s “In the Pale Moonlight.” The 10 classic shock lands will also be reprinted in the main set.

Principal game designer Gavin Verhey said the team looked at weaving the Explore mechanic first introduced in Ixalan throughout the set but wound up just using it for Captain Kathryn Janeway to represent Voyager’s long trip home. Phasing also makes an appearances on the Saga called The City on the Edge of Forever, which is based on the Original Series episode that involves Kirk accidentally creating an alternate timeline.

What are the Star Trek Magic products?

Star Trek fans looking to try Magic can test it out with a set of five welcome decks or a beginner box. The set also includes four Commander decks, collector and play boosters, a draft night bundle, two scene boxes, and a Beam Me Up bundle.

What are Magic's Star Trek Commander decks?

Star Trek will include four Commander decks, each available in regular and Collector’s Edition versions. We Are the Borg is an Esper (white-blue-black) deck led by the Borg Queen. It uses the new Assimilate mechanic to take control of creatures and transform them into Borg artifact creatures, which can then share collective benefits reminiscent of Magic’s Slivers. Klingon Fury is a Mardu (red-white-black) deck led by Worf. It favors an aggressive playstyle built around cards that affect the entire battlefield.

Landing Party is a Bant (green-white-blue) deck led by Spock, filled with characters and aesthetics from the original 1960s Star Trek. It leans heavily into the landfall mechanic. Federation Fleet is a Jeskai (blue-red-white) deck led by Captain Jean-Luc Picard. It focuses on drawing cards and stationing spacecraft, with ships like the Enterprise and Voyager likely to appear.

What are the Star Trek chase cards?

Star Trek will introduce the first official autograph cards in Magic history, featuring seven characters signed by the actors who portrayed them. Wizards has revealed William Shatner’s Captain James T. Kirk and Kate Mulgrew’s Captain Kathryn Janeway so far, with the remaining five signers still under wraps. Only 200 copies of each autograph card will be produced, all distributed through Collector Boosters.

When is the Star Trek set release date?

Magic's Star Trek set will officially be released on Nov. 20, 2026. But prerelease events for game stores within the Wizards Play Network will begin a week prior on Nov. 13, 2026.