Magic: The Gathering | Star Trek rules add three game terms and clarify Kira's combat effect

The Star Trek set's rules arrive ahead of release

Wizards of the Coast has published the Magic: The Gathering | Star Trek Update Bulletin, setting out the comprehensive rules changes and Oracle update planned for the crossover set. The bulletin formalizes three new game terms: face a dilemma, assimilate and beam me up. It also adds the ability words Battlefront, Federation, Seek out and Strange New Worlds, plus the Communicator artifact type and a range of Star Trek creature types.

For players learning the set, the bulletin is the reference point for how its new mechanics fit into Magic's existing rules. It follows Wizards' earlier mechanics guide and release notes, and applies alongside the set's 13 November tabletop release. Star Trek Prerelease events began on 6 November.

Kira Nerys can bring creatures into combat

The bulletin adds rule 508.4e to support Kira Nerys, Firebrand. While you control an attacking creature, if another creature you control would enter the battlefield, Kira's replacement effect makes it enter tapped and attacking instead. The new rule gives players a way to add creatures to combat after attackers have already been declared.

Wizards' release notes clarify an important limit: creatures that enter attacking this way were not declared as attackers. Abilities that trigger whenever a creature attacks therefore do not trigger for them. Kira's controller chooses which opponent, planeswalker or battle the creature attacks as it enters, except in unusual cases where an effect already specifies the defending player or permanent.

Werewolf Pack Leader gets a small but meaningful Oracle edit

The bulletin changes Werewolf Pack Leader's activated ability from making it not a Human to making it a Werewolf until end of turn. Wizards says the revision preserves the card's function in almost all situations while avoiding a confusing interaction where the creature could retain many types after losing only Human. That edge case matters for effects that count a creature's types, including Starfleet Academy.

A separate comprehensive rules clarification covers power and toughness on noncreature objects outside the battlefield. Those objects only have power and toughness when the printed values are not part of one of their abilities. Together, the changes give players and judges a more explicit framework for unusual interactions in the new set.

• New game terms: face a dilemma, assimilate and beam me up
• Kira's replacement effect can make creatures enter tapped and attacking
• Creatures entering attacking this way do not trigger attack abilities
• Werewolf Pack Leader now becomes a Werewolf rather than only losing Human
• Star Trek tabletop release: 13 November 2026