The upcoming Magic: The Gathering Star Trek release is changing how the game approaches villain-themed Commander decks. By featuring the Borg, the new set officially departs from a color identity pattern that has dominated villain-aligned decks for the past four years.
A Shift in Color Identity
Since September 2022, when The Ruinous Powers Commander deck featuring Chaos Space Marines from Warhammer 40,000 was released, villain-focused "Universes Beyond" products have consistently utilized the Grixis color identity—blue, red, and black. This trend persisted across multiple major releases, including the Doctor Who "Masters of Evil" deck, The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth "The Hosts of Mordor" deck, and the more recent Marvel "Doom Prevails" release.
The Borg deck breaks this streak by adopting an Esper identity. By utilizing blue, white, and black, the design moves away from the red-inclusive Grixis mold that characterized the previous four years of villain-centric releases.
Impact on Commander Players
For players who collect or build around specific villain archetypes, this change offers a different mechanical foundation. While previous villain decks relied on the aggressive and destructive synergies inherent to the Grixis color combination, the move to Esper allows for a shift in playstyle. Players can now expect the Borg deck to lean into the strengths of blue, white, and black, providing a distinct experience compared to the established Grixis "villain" standard.