Ranking the Crew Members of the Starship Enterprise in MTG

Last updated on October 29, 2026

U.S.S. Enterprise-D, Galaxy-Class | Illustration by Pablo Mendoza

There’s something so special about the original series of Star Trek. It was groundbreaking for its time, and the cast was perfect. There’s a lot of nostalgia attached to that original crew of Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Sulu, Chekov, Scotty, and McCoy. Wizards of the Coast recognized this because we’re getting cards for all of these characters in Star Trek, some of them in multiples. So since we’re getting so many in the main set, we might as well rank them to which character is best (in my completely arbitrary opinion)

10. Ensign Pavel Chekov

The biggest problem with Ensign Pavel Chekov is that he’s boring. His ability is tied to the Strange New Worlds mechanic, which counts the number of differently named lands you control; a fun deck building challenge that should be rewarded with an interesting or powerful ability! What’s the reward? Well, he exiles cards from your opponents library and lets you play one single land… so basically almost nothing. And he’s a 1/5. Definitely a card made for Limited, but even then it may not be all that good.

9. Kirk, Commanding Officer

Kirk, Commanding Officer is one of these characters that appears in multiples on this list, but this is certainly the less exciting card. This is another card designed for Limited, which is not a bad thing, don’t get me wrong. I love Limited, but sometimes with characters that are supposed to be larger than life, it produces cards that are anticlimactic in their effect, and this is one of them. It scores above Chekov because at least it seems more playable and fun.

8. Mr. Spock, Science Officer

Putting Mr. Spock, Science Officer this low on this list is likely to cause some controversy, but putting it anywhere else on the list would be highly illogical. The problem with this card is that it just reads so boring, even if it is a powerful effect. I think I just expected more from a card with Spock on it, undoubtedly the favorite character of so many fans of the series. They could have aimed for something more interesting, if not just as powerful. But instead we get this, which I’m sure makes a lot of people happy, but I can’t say that it excites me.

7. Nyota Uhura, Communications

I wanted to put Nyota Uhura, Communications higher on this list, but I just couldn’t justify it. No matter how much I like and appreciate the character of Uhura, this card is simply not the most interesting. It has an effect that’s very similar to Talion, the Kindly Lord except more narrow. Certainly this is meant to be a constructed card, and maybe it will have some success in Standard, but I can’t shake the feeling like this card will just be underwhelming whenever you play it. That being said, maybe I’m wrong on this one, this is just my initial gut feeling.

6. Dr. McCoy, Surly Surgeon

Dr. McCoy, Surly Surgeon might not be the best card on this list, but at least he does something unique. For the most part, he’s a run of the mill +1/+1 counters card, which is why he’s not higher. We’ve seen these white cards that put counters on stuff a million times before, and he’s not exactly pushing the envelope there. However, the second ability that essentially turns your +1/+1 counters into shield counters by protecting your creatures from destruction is very cool. Honestly, it’s so interesting I almost moved this card higher on the list, but ultimately I don’t think it will have much impact in practice, so sixth is where he sits.

5. Captain James T. Kirk

I’m sorry Captain James T. Kirk, but I simply couldn’t put you any higher on the list! This version of Kirk is a step up from the other one, but for a mythic and arguably the most important character in the entire Star Trek set, I can’t help but feel a little underwhelmed. The choosing modes is interesting, and getting to do more if you’re empty handed is also cool, but the modes themselves are so low impact that it won’t feel all that fun to play. At least, that’s how it seems to me.

4. Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy

From this point on, everything was very close. Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy takes this spot on the list simply because I think it lacks a certain cool factor that the other cards have. If that sounds completely arbitrary, it’s because it is. Sorry Bones! This is still a very sweet card, and being able to get back a card at instant speed on a 3/2 body is no joke, and I expect this card to be constructed playable.

3. Scotty, Miracle Worker

Scotty, Miracle Worker is certainly the most ambitious card on this list. It has a big blob of text that essentially boils down to “your instants and sorceries in your graveyard have beam me up” which is a pretty amazing ability. The only thing holding this card back is how incredibly clunky the wording of this effect is. Reading this is a daunting task, not for the meek of heart. Well, not really, but I’m sure that’s how it feels to some. Anyways, third place for Scotty!

2. Spock, Always Your Friend

I debated putting Spock, Always Your Friend at number one for this list, but ultimately I feel he falls just short in that wow factor. Again, this is all arbitrary, but I love cards like this. It does one thing, and it does it efficiently, and it has a fine body for cost. This is not the first time we’ve seen an effect like this on a card, but it’s the first time it’s been this efficient, and at uncommon no less! For the most part, this is just a Thundertrap Trainer that trades Offspring for an extra point of power. Overall, a great card.

1. Sulu, Space Swashbuckler

Sulu, Space Swashbuckler is number one, and it’s not hard to see why. If you’re wondering, it’s because of that cool sword he’s swashbuckling with. And the flavor text helps too. Oh my! And also because he’s an efficient 2/2 first strike that will draw you some cards and lets you do a cool Spacecraft or Equipment strategy. And he’s Sulu, who doesn’t love Sulu? Again, this is totally arbitrary, and these top few spots were quite close, but ultimately what Sulu has is just that certain special something that makes me say “wow, that’s a cool card.”

Wrap Up

The Traveler | Illustration by Ioannis Fiore

Well, that’s the list! I know some of you may be disappointed with my rankings, and some of you may agree, but like I said multiple times before, these are just my rankings and nothing more. They’re completely biased, and that’s okay! That’s just how it goes with such a beloved crew like this from such an iconic series; everyone has their favorites, everyone has their own opinions, but at the end of the day, there’s nothing but love and adoration for the people who made the show so special.