Starfleet takes the table

Star Trek Board Games: Ascendancy, Catan, 3D Chess and More

By Updated

From a 1967 race game to Away Missions and Captain's Chair, these Star Trek board games cover a lot of ground. The right Star Trek board game depends on whether you want ships, crews, cards or chess. This guide sorts all 14 by group size and play style.

  • 14 games
  • 1979 to 2026
  • 1 to 5+ players
  • 2 classic editions

Engage! The fleet is sorted by player count, so you can pick a mission fast.

Star Trek has been on tabletops since 1967, with games ranging from vintage race games to modern deck-builders. Many newer titles mix exploration and diplomacy with combat, as in Ascendancy and Captain's Chair. If fleet battles in a galaxy far away are your thing, our Star Wars board games page makes a natural comparison.

Got three players and a free evening? Ascendancy fits the bill.

Choosing your first Star Trek board game

Star Trek Catan makes a gentle first game for families.

  • Families and newcomers

    Star Trek Catan

    Star Trek Catan seats 3-4 players, takes 45-90 minutes and is rated ages 10+. The familiar Catan loop of trading and building is still here.

    Difficulty2.5 out of 5
    Time to explain3 out of 5about 15 min
    Player experience3 out of 5
    Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
    How we rate

  • Strategy night for three

    Star Trek: Ascendancy

    The core box is for exactly 3 players, with Federation, Klingon and Romulan factions. Plan for about 180 minutes; ages 14+.

    Difficulty3 out of 5
    Time to explain5 out of 5about 40 min
    Player experience4 out of 5
    Geek Level7 / 10Can explain the timeline
    How we rate

  • Two players, one evening

    Star Trek: Away Missions

    A two-player miniatures skirmish that takes 60-90 minutes. Each side fields an away team and plays three rounds.

    Difficulty2 out of 5
    Time to explain4 out of 5about 30 min
    Player experience2 out of 5
    Geek Level6 / 10Has a favorite side character
    How we rate

The card games range from three-player strategy to solo-friendly deck-building. Check the player count first: the Ascendancy core box needs exactly three, while Away Missions and Attack Wing are strictly two-player. For a gentler start, Star Trek Catan sticks to familiar trading rules.

Star Trek board games, card games and chess sets

Finding out-of-print card games like the CCG usually takes a bit of searching.

Showing all 14

Main games

Star Trek: Ascendancy

  • 2016
  • 3 players
  • 180 minutes
  • Ages 14+

This civilization game spans the Star Trek galaxy. Federation, Klingon and Romulan players each build out a home region.

How it plays

Build ships, colonize planets, research technology, and spend command points to move fleets and explore. Win through cultural ascendancy or by taking other players' home systems.

The film or show connection

Systems, life forms, hazards and discoveries draw on Star Trek lore. The three factions are the series' main powers.

Difficulty3 out of 5
Time to explain5 out of 5about 40 min
Player experience4 out of 5
Geek Level7 / 10Can explain the timeline
How we rate

Type strategy board game

  • 4X
  • factions
  • long game
Publisher
Gale Force Nine
Designers
Aaron Dill, John Kovaleski, Sean Sweigart
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Cardassian Union
  • Ferengi Alliance
  • Borg Assimilation (2017)
  • Andorian Empire (2019)
  • Vulcan High Command (2019)
  • The Dominion War (2022)
  • The Breen Confederacy (2022)

Source 2 (startrek.com)

Star Trek: Captain's Chair

  • 2025
  • 1-2 players
  • 60-120 minutes
  • Ages 14+

A deck-builder puts you in command as a captain. It is one of the few Star Trek games with a solo mode.

How it plays

Each player picks a captain with a unique deck, then plays cards to command ships, crew and away teams. Manage resources and alliances while following paths like diplomacy, exploration or science to score.

The film or show connection

The first set includes Picard, Sisko, Burnham, Koloth, Sela and Shran, each with a deck built around their allies and assets.

Difficulty4 out of 5
Time to explain4 out of 5about 30 min
Player experience5 out of 5
Geek Level9 / 10Reads the wiki for fun
How we rate

Type deck-building game

  • solo mode
  • two players
  • captains
Publisher
WizKids
Designers
Dávid Turczi, Nigel Buckle
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • To Boldly Go (2026, standalone)
  • Second Contact (2026, expansion)

Source 1 (asmodee.co.uk)

Star Trek: Attack Wing

  • 2013
  • 2 players
  • 60 minutes
  • Ages 14+

A widely sold Star Trek miniatures game centered on fast ship duels. Ships come pre-painted, and the starter set includes the Enterprise-D.

How it plays

Choose each ship's move with a maneuver dial, then carry it out with a template. A build starts with a ship card and captain, then adds crew, weapons and tech upgrades.

The film or show connection

Ships and captains come from the shows and films, making this a fleet battler rather than a retelling of one story.

Difficulty2.5 out of 5
Time to explain4 out of 5about 25 min
Player experience3 out of 5
Geek Level6 / 10Has a favorite side character
How we rate

Type miniatures game

  • ship combat
  • collectible ships
  • two players
Publisher
WizKids
Designers
Andrew Parks, Christopher Guild
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Federation vs. Klingons starter set (2017)

Source 1 (wizkids.com)

Star Trek: Fleet Captains

  • 2011
  • 2-4 players
  • 90-120 minutes
  • Ages 14+

A fleet game mixes exploration and combat on a modular map. It fits up to four players, more than most Star Trek miniatures games.

How it plays

Command a Federation or Klingon fleet and set each ship's power levels. On your turn, scan locations, attempt missions, build installations or fight. Command cards help you pursue victory points.

The film or show connection

Cards feature imagery and plot material from the series and the original-cast films. The Romulan Empire and Dominion arrive in expansions.

Difficulty3 out of 5
Time to explain4 out of 5about 30 min
Player experience4 out of 5
Geek Level7 / 10Can explain the timeline
How we rate

Type strategy board game

  • exploration
  • miniatures
  • four players
Publisher
WizKids
Designers
Mike Elliott, Bryan Kinsella, Ethan Pasternack
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Romulan Empire (2012)
  • Dominion (2014)

Source 1 (startrek.com) Source 3 (shop.wizkids.com)

Star Trek: Away Missions

  • 2023
  • 2 players
  • 60-90 minutes
  • Ages 14+

The Star Trek Away Missions board game is a crew-level skirmish with character miniatures. The core set is a head-to-head fight between Federation and Borg teams.

How it plays

Players take turns activating characters, with two actions each, such as moving, attacking or taking cover. Teams score points by chasing mission objectives. After three rounds, the higher score wins.

The film or show connection

The core game opens amid the wreckage of the Battle of Wolf 359. Riker leads the Federation away team against Locutus's Borg.

Difficulty2 out of 5
Time to explain4 out of 5about 30 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level6 / 10Has a favorite side character
How we rate

Type miniatures game

  • skirmish
  • two players
  • Next Generation
Publisher
Gale Force Nine
Designers
Andrew Haught, Mike Haught, Phil Yates
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Gowron (2023)
  • Sela (2023)
  • House of Duras (2024)
  • Captain Picard (2024)
  • Captain Kirk (2024)
  • Commander Scotty (2024)

Source 3 (gamesradar.com)

Star Trek Customizable Card Game

  • 1994
  • 2+ players
  • Ages 10+

Decipher's Star Trek CCG is a collectible card game. It's out of print, though a fan group still supports it.

How it plays

Players build a shared spaceline of missions, with dilemmas hidden beneath them. Then they play personnel and ships, send a crew to attempt missions and race to 100 points.

The film or show connection

The 1994 Premiere set is based on The Next Generation. Later sets brought in other series and films.

Difficulty3 out of 5
Time to explain5 out of 5about 45 min
Player experience4 out of 5
Geek Level7 / 10Can explain the timeline
How we rate

Type trading card game Out of print

  • collectible
  • out of print
  • fan community
Publisher
Decipher
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • First Edition (1994)
  • Second Edition (2002)

Source 3 (en.wikipedia.org)

Star Trek: Frontiers

  • 2016
  • 1-4 players
  • Ages 14+

Think Mage Knight in Star Trek, with a heavy, card-driven adventure. Scenarios support competitive, cooperative or solo play.

How it plays

Play cards from your ship deck to cross a randomly built map, explore, recruit crew and tackle challenges. Cards and skills help with obstacles and combat.

The film or show connection

Players command ships such as the Enterprise and Defiant, with crews and challenges from the franchise.

Difficulty4.5 out of 5
Time to explain5 out of 5about 45 min
Player experience5 out of 5
Geek Level9 / 10Reads the wiki for fun
How we rate

Type strategy board game

  • solo mode
  • co-op option
  • Mage Knight system
Publisher
WizKids
Designers
Andrew Parks, Vlaada Chvátil
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • The Return of Khan (2018)

Source 1 (wizkids.com)

Star Trek Deck Building Game: The Next Generation

  • 2011
  • 2-5 players
  • 60-90 minutes
  • Ages 13+

Bandai's deck-builder features The Next Generation crew. Sources report that Bandai ended the line in 2014, so copies may take some hunting.

How it plays

Build a deck for your crew and ship, then explore the Space Deck by completing missions, resolving events and facing starships. Scenarios include free-for-all, team play and cooperative Borg defense.

The film or show connection

Picard, Data and other crew members can be recruited, alongside missions, events and starships.

Difficulty2.5 out of 5
Time to explain3 out of 5about 20 min
Player experience3 out of 5
Geek Level6 / 10Has a favorite side character
How we rate

Type deck-building game Out of print

  • card game
  • co-op scenarios
  • out of print
Publisher
Bandai
Designers
Alex Bykov
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • The Next Phase (2012)
  • The Original Series (2012)

Source 2 (startrek.com)

Star Fleet Battles

  • 1979
  • 2+ players

A long-running tactical wargame about starship combat. The Amarillo Design Bureau still sells it as its flagship game.

How it plays

Assign each ship's power to movement, weapons and systems, then maneuver and fire through a sequence of impulses.

The film or show connection

It uses ships and factions from the original series in its own Star Fleet Universe. The license excludes the principal characters, so Kirk and Spock don't appear.

Difficulty4 out of 5
Time to explain5 out of 5about 90 min
Player experience5 out of 5
Geek Level9 / 10Reads the wiki for fun
How we rate

Type strategy board game In print

  • wargame
  • ship combat
  • since 1979
Publisher
Task Force Games, now Amarillo Design Bureau
Designers
Stephen V. Cole
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Pocket Edition (1979)
  • Designer's Edition (1979)
  • Commander's Edition (1983)
  • Captain's Edition (1990)

Source 1 (starfleetgames.com) Source 2 (starfleetgames.com) Source 3 (sf-encyclopedia.com)

Star Trek Adventures

  • 2017

It's a role-playing game, so you need a gamemaster, not a board. Most groups play a starship or starbase crew.

How it plays

Players create characters and take on missions guided by a gamemaster. They roll d20s against attributes and disciplines, then spend Momentum to improve outcomes.

The film or show connection

Set in the Star Trek universe, it features original missions rather than scripted episodes. A second edition arrived in 2024, and the first edition's follow-up, a Klingon Empire core book, came out in 2021.

Difficulty3 out of 5
Time to explain5 out of 5about 45 min
Player experience4 out of 5
Geek Level8 / 10Argues about the extended cut
How we rate

Type role-playing game In print

  • RPG
  • needs a gamemaster
  • d20
Publisher
Modiphius Entertainment
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Second Edition core rulebook (2024)
  • The Klingon Empire core rulebook (2021)

Source 1 (modiphius.net) Source 2 (space.com) Source 3 (modiphius.net)

Star Trek: The Ultimate Trivia Deck

  • 2026

A trivia deck for the Star Trek trivia shelf, listed for release in August 2026. Availability is unconfirmed.

How it plays

Draw a card and answer a question from categories such as Technology, Characters, Events and Anomalies, and Planets, Places and Cultures. Each card offers an easier and a harder question. Play solo, head-to-head, as a team or in a group.

The film or show connection

Questions cover the films and series, making this a franchise quiz rather than a story game.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain1 out of 5about 3 min
Player experience1 out of 5
Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
How we rate

Type party game

  • trivia
  • cards
  • solo or group
Publisher
Clarkson Potter
Designers
Robb Pearlman
Show detailsHide details

Source 1 (penguinrandomhouseretail.com)

Licensed classic editions

Star Trek Catan

  • 2012
  • 3-4 players
  • 45-90 minutes
  • Ages 10+

Star Trek Catan swaps the island for Federation space. It is standalone, so you do not need base Catan to play.

How it plays

Collect and trade resources, then build outposts and starbases linked by starships. A Klingon ship gets in the way, while support cards add show flavor.

The film or show connection

The Federation Space map set uses the Explored Galaxy star chart seen in Captain Kirk's quarters, plus an almanac of planet and episode notes.

Difficulty2.5 out of 5
Time to explain3 out of 5about 15 min
Player experience3 out of 5
Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
How we rate

Type licensed classic edition

  • trading
  • family
  • standalone
Publisher
Mayfair Games
Designers
Klaus Teuber
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Federation Space Map Set (2013, needs the base game)

Source 1 (catan.com) Source 2 (startrek.com) Source 3 (catan.com)

Star Trek Monopoly

  • 1998

USAopoly has made several Star Trek Monopoly editions, all with standard Monopoly rules. We couldn't confirm player counts for any edition.

How it plays

Buy and trade themed spaces, then collect payments, just as in regular Monopoly. Starships and starbases stand in for houses and hotels. Depending on the edition, money is gold-pressed latinum or Federation Credits.

The film or show connection

The Next Generation Collector's Edition includes eight pewter tokens. Continuum (2009) spans Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise, with tokens such as Kirk's command chair and a Vulcan lute.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain2 out of 5about 8 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type licensed classic edition

  • property trading
  • collectible
  • four editions
Publisher
USAopoly
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Next Generation Collector's Edition (1998)
  • Original Series edition
  • Continuum Edition (2009)
  • Klingon Edition (2011)

Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

Chess sets

Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess

  • 1994
  • 2 players
  • 30-60 minutes

The licensed take on 3D chess in Star Trek is a stacked, multi-level board based on the original series prop.

How it plays

Two players move chess pieces across three fixed boards at different heights. Four smaller attack boards create routes between levels and can be repositioned.

The film or show connection

These sets recreate the tri-dimensional chess prop from the original series. The Noble Collection version includes retro-style pieces and translucent boards.

Difficulty2 out of 5
Time to explain3 out of 5about 20 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
How we rate

Type chess set

  • 3D chess
  • collectible
  • two players
Publisher
Franklin Mint; The Noble Collection
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Franklin Mint (1994)
  • The Noble Collection (2021)

Source 1 (trekmovie.com)

Comparing Star Trek Catan, Ascendancy and the rest

Star Trek games compared by year, players, play time, age, type and print status
GameYearPlayersPlay timeAgesTypeIn print
Star Trek: Ascendancy20163180 minutes14+strategy board gameNot listed
Star Trek: Captain's Chair20251-260-120 minutes14+deck-building gameNot listed
Star Trek: Attack Wing2013260 minutes14+miniatures gameNot listed
Star Trek Catan20123-445-90 minutes10+licensed classic editionNot listed
Star Trek: Fleet Captains20112-490-120 minutes14+strategy board gameNot listed
Star Trek: Away Missions2023260-90 minutes14+miniatures gameNot listed
Star Trek Customizable Card Game19942+Not listed10+trading card gameNo
Star Trek: Frontiers20161-4Not listed14+strategy board gameNot listed
Star Trek Deck Building Game: The Next Generation20112-560-90 minutes13+deck-building gameNo
Star Fleet Battles19792+Not listedNot listedstrategy board gameYes
Star Trek Monopoly1998Not listedNot listedNot listedlicensed classic editionNot listed
Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess1994230-60 minutesNot listedchess setNot listed
Star Trek Adventures2017Not listedNot listedNot listedrole-playing gameYes
Star Trek: The Ultimate Trivia Deck2026Not listedNot listedNot listedparty gameNot listed

A Star Trek tabletop timeline

Star Trek tabletop releases, from the original series to today.

Got three players and a free evening? Ascendancy fits the bill.

  • 1967

    Ideal Toy Company releases the Star Trek Game while the original series is still on air.

    Source 1 (startrek.com)

  • 1979

    Star Fleet Battles debuts as a tactical wargame of Star Trek starship combat.

    Source 1 (starfleetgames.com)

  • 1994

    Decipher launches the Star Trek Customizable Card Game with a Next Generation set.

  • 2011

    WizKids releases Fleet Captains, while Bandai launches its Next Generation deck-building game.

    Source 1 (startrek.com)

  • 2012

    Mayfair Games announces an English-language Star Trek Catan for autumn.

    Source 1 (startrek.com)

  • 2016

    Gale Force Nine publishes Ascendancy, and WizKids publishes Frontiers.

    Source 1 (startrek.com)

  • 2023

    Gale Force Nine releases Away Missions with a Wolf 359 starter set.

  • 2025

    WizKids releases the Captain's Chair deck-builder, which includes solo play.

    Source 1 (asmodee.co.uk)

Star Trek is one of the rare cases where a prop became a product. Tri-dimensional chess appeared in the original series, and its stacked boards inspired licensed sets decades later. The next section covers the on-screen game and real sets, while the Star Trek Tri-Dimensional Chess page lists what comes in each set.

3D chess Star Trek: the Enterprise game and the sets you can buy

The 3D chess Star Trek fans ask about started as a prop in the original series and later became a real set.

  • On screen

    Crew members play tri-dimensional chess in the original series. Sources disagree about its first appearance: Where No Man Has Gone Before or Charlie X.

  • The prop

    The original was reportedly built from 3-D Checkers and 3-D Tic-Tac-Toe boards, plus chess pieces from Peter Ganine's Classic set.

  • The rules

    The show never explained the rules. Franz Joseph added a starting position and brief rules to the Star Fleet Technical Manual. The Noble Collection set includes his rules.

  • Sets to look for

    Franklin Mint made a licensed set in 1994 with three main boards and four attack boards. The Noble Collection set has 32 pieces and seven acrylic boards.

Miniatures fans have four options at four different scales. Attack Wing and Fleet Captains focus on ships, Away Missions features individual crew members, and Star Fleet Battles is a deep wargame. The newest is the Star Trek Away Missions board game, released in 2023.

For 3D chess, check that the set includes the attack boards.

Star Trek miniatures game guide: ships, fleets and away teams

Four games explore the Star Trek miniatures game space at different scales.

Attack Wing: single-ship duels

2 players, about 60 minutes. Maneuver dials and templates keep ship battles quick and customizable.

Fleet Captains: fleets and exploration

2-4 players, 90-120 minutes. It features a modular map, power levels for each ship, and Romulan or Dominion expansions.

Away Missions: crew skirmishes

2 players, 60-90 minutes. Character miniatures battle over mission objectives across three rounds.

Star Fleet Battles: wargame depth

2+ players. Power allocation and impulse sequencing give veteran wargamers plenty to manage. No principal series characters.

Star Trek card games span three decades, from a 1994 collectible game to a 2026 trivia deck. Most of the older titles are out of print, so check availability before planning game night. For a game with a living fan base, the Star Trek customizable card game still has an active community.

Star Trek customizable card game and other Star Trek card games

Star Trek card games span a 1994 collectible game and a 2026 trivia deck.

  • Decipher CCG (1994, out of print)

    The Star Trek CCG uses a shared spaceline and sets a 100-point goal. The Continuing Committee, a fan group, keeps it going with virtual sets.

  • Bandai Deck Building Game (2011)

    This Next Generation deck-builder supports 2-5 players and includes a cooperative Borg defense scenario. Production ended in 2014.

  • Captain's Chair (2025)

    A captain-driven deck-builder for 1-2 players, with a separate deck for every captain. Expansions are listed for 2026.

  • The Ultimate Trivia Deck (2026)

    Question cards have easy and hard sides, with questions about both the series and films.

Star Trek board game facts

Star Trek Catan makes a gentle first game for families.

  • Ideal's 1967 Star Trek Game is described as the only board game released during the original series' run. Players race to visit three planets and return to Earth.

    Source 1 (startrek.com)

  • Star Fleet Battles has no Kirk or Spock because its license does not include the original series' principal characters.

    Source 1 (starfleetgames.com)

  • The show's tri-dimensional chess prop was reportedly assembled from 3-D Checkers and 3-D Tic-Tac-Toe boards, plus pieces from Peter Ganine's Classic chess set.

    Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

  • The Federation Space map set for Star Trek Catan takes its design from the Explored Galaxy star chart seen in Captain Kirk's quarters.

    Source 1 (catan.com)

  • Star Trek: Frontiers adapts Mage Knight to the Star Trek universe and was co-designed by Vlaada Chvatil.

    Source 1 (wizkids.com)

  • Star Trek: Away Missions starts in the wreckage after the Battle of Wolf 359, with Riker's away team facing Locutus's Borg.

  • The Star Trek CCG is out of print, but the Continuing Committee still supports it with fan-made virtual sets.

    Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

Star Trek board game questions

Which Star Trek board game is a good place to start?

Star Trek Catan works for families and newcomers: 3-4 players, 45-90 minutes, ages 10+. Choose Star Trek Ascendancy for a three-player strategy night or Away Missions for two players.

Is there a Star Trek Catan game?

Yes. Star Trek Catan is a standalone Mayfair Games edition for 3-4 players, ages 10+. The Federation Space map set adds two maps and requires the base game.

How many players can play Star Trek Ascendancy?

The core box is for exactly 3 players, with the Federation, Klingon and Romulan factions. Player expansions such as Cardassian Union add a faction and an extra seat.

Is there a Star Trek Monopoly?

Yes, there are several Star Trek Monopoly editions. USAopoly made the Next Generation Collector's Edition in 1998, an Original Series edition, and the Continuum Edition in 2009. A Klingon Edition is also listed for 2011.

What is 3D chess in Star Trek?

It's the tri-dimensional chess seen on the original series, played on stacked boards. The show never set the rules, so Franz Joseph's rules in the Star Fleet Technical Manual are a common reference.

Can you buy a Star Trek 3D chess set?

Yes. Franklin Mint made a licensed set in 1994, and The Noble Collection sells one with 32 pieces and seven acrylic boards. A 2016 Franklin Mint set could not be confirmed.

What is the Star Trek CCG?

It's Decipher's Star Trek Customizable Card Game from 1994, with First and Second Editions. It's out of print, and the Continuing Committee supports it online.

Is there a Star Trek miniatures game?

Several options: Attack Wing handles ship duels, Fleet Captains covers fleets and exploration, and Away Missions focuses on crews. Star Fleet Battles is the veteran wargame. For more space games, see our sci fi board games hub.

Is the Star Trek Away Missions board game for two players?

Yes. This is a two-player skirmish game that takes 60-90 minutes and is for ages 14+. The core set includes Federation and Borg teams.

Is there a Star Trek tabletop RPG or trivia game?

Modiphius first published Star Trek Adventures, the tabletop RPG, in 2017, followed by a second edition in 2024. Clarkson Potter lists Star Trek: The Ultimate Trivia Deck for August 2026.

Finding out-of-print card games like the CCG usually takes a bit of searching.

Got three players and a free evening? Ascendancy fits the bill.

Sources

  1. Catan: Star Trek Catan catan.com
  2. WizKids: Star Trek: Attack Wing wizkids.com
  3. WizKids: Star Trek: Frontiers wizkids.com
  4. Asmodee UK: Star Trek: Captain's Chair asmodee.co.uk
  5. Amarillo Design Bureau: Star Fleet Battles starfleetgames.com
  6. StarTrek.com: Inside Star Trek: Ascendancy startrek.com
  7. Modiphius: Star Trek Adventures Second Edition modiphius.net