As a Trekkie with a passion for the cosmos that rivals Captain Kirk himself, I must say the Borg’s multikinetic neutronic mine is quite the tantalizing piece of technology. The idea of assimilating all life within five light years is simply mind-boggling! However, it’s a tad disappointing that we haven’t seen this weapon in action, much like how I’ve never had the chance to see a real-life warp drive.
For over five decades since its debut in 1966, “Star Trek” has been celebrated for its futuristic technology, some aspects of which have permeated popular culture, such as transporters and warp drives. However, amidst all the excitement about the scientific devices that “Star Trek” supposedly pioneered, it’s frequently forgotten how much destructive power this series, known for its hopeful vision of the future, has actually portrayed.
Among the numerous potent aspects in the “Trek” universe, such as the notorious Omega Particle, this discussion revolves around weapons – ranging from phasers to photon torpedoes and more. Some have the capacity to annihilate thousands, while others can bring about devastation on a cosmic level. Whether they originate from the 1966 original series, “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” or the J.J. Abrams films, we’ve unearthed the 15 most formidable weapons in “Star Trek,” and we’ve arranged them here, with the mightiest and most destructive at the bottom.
15. Chu’lak’s TR-116 rifle
In the universe of “Star Trek”, it’s often the weapons capable of destroying vast numbers in a single strike that are considered the most powerful. However, don’t underestimate the handheld weapons. One such example is the TR-116 prototype rifle from the episode “Field of Fire” in Season 7 of “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”. This episode, despite being underrated, is actually one of the series’ most compelling.
In my gaming world, I’ve come across the TR-116, a weapon developed by Starfleet for scenarios where energy-dampening fields disrupt phasers. Instead of relying on phaser beams, it uses a deadly, chemically-propelled projectile. But what truly sets it apart is a clever tweak by Vulcan officer Chu’lak (Marty Rackham): a micro-transporter! This feature lets me hit targets even if they’re hidden behind walls, bulkheads, or vast distances – essentially anywhere within transporter range. And the best part? With an exographic targeting scanner, I never have to leave my comfort zone to take down my targets.
Without a doubt, the episode doesn’t explicitly highlight the danger of the TR-116 with these modifications. However, a rifle capable of being fired from a concealed location and boasting a transporter system that renders its projectiles difficult to trace, surely warrants its inclusion on our list.
14. Varon-T disruptor
It has an unassuming look, but the Varon-T disruptor might be the most lethal handheld weapon we’ve seen in any iteration of “Trek.” In the “Star Trek: The Next Generation” episode “The Most Toys,” it belongs to cosmic collector Kivas Fajo (Saul Rubinek), who uses it to get the android Data (Brent Spiner) to comply with his wishes. According to Data, the Varon-T was, like the TR-116, an experimental prototype. Only five were ever made, and Fajo claims to have four of them — including one that he keeps under his pillow.
Extremely destructive and savagely lethal, a shot from a Varon-T can shred living tissue apart from within, leaving it outlawed by the Federation due to its extraordinary force and brutality. Consequently, the four in Fajo’s possession are not just an array of deadly weapons but also a highly prized treasure.
13. The Stone of Gol
In the “TNG” episode “Gambit,” I came across an artifact from Vulcan mythology called the Stone of Gol. Legend suggests that this Stone can cause death with just a thought from whoever wields it, but it’s not merely a tale: It’s a potent weapon that was reassembled by radical Vulcans, led by an agent named T’Paal (Robin Curtis). In the climax of the two-part episode, she unveiled to Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) that the Stone of Gol is, in fact, a psionic resonator that amplifies a person’s own telepathic power. With it, one can indeed bring death with just a thought, and ancient Vulcans employed the Stone of Gol during a period of severe conflict centuries ago.
The main issue that prevents the Stone of Gol from being more powerful lies in its significant vulnerability. This was evident when Picard used it, as its strength stems from the intense emotions of its target. However, if someone manages to clear their mind and achieve inner peace, the stone becomes powerless. That’s why this artifact was decommissioned long ago, after the Vulcan Enlightenment era, when the philosophy of Surak led Vulcan society to renounce emotions entirely, making the Stone of Gol irrelevant.
12. The Metreon Cascade
As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but draw parallels between my favorite pastime and some deep, thought-provoking episodes like “Jetrel” from Star Trek: Voyager. In this particular episode, we delve into the history of Neelix (Ethan Phillips)’s homeworld, Talaxia, where an unsettlingly familiar conflict unfolds – one that echoes our very own Second World War on Earth. The Talaxians suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of their galactic neighbors, the Haakonians, who wield a terrifying weapon known as the Metreon Cascade to carry out genocide against Neelix’s people.
Similar to the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Metreon Cascade harnesses rare isotopes to trigger explosions capable of annihilating countless millions. What sets it apart is its ability to irradiate the entire planet, rendering it almost uninhabitable for survivors who suffer from radiation poisoning, a slow-killing affliction that can take years to manifest. The Metreon Cascade is the brainchild of scientist Jetrel, who views the weapon as an inevitable outcome of scientific progress, without fully comprehending its devastating consequences. For years, he dedicates himself to finding a cure for the lethal radiation sickness it inflicts.
11. The Genesis Device
In the 1960s, “Star Trek” wasn’t primarily recognized for its impressive arsenal, but that all shifted as the stories grew more grandiose and daring. The movies took center stage in the transformation. The pivotal moment came in 1982 with “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” This film elevated its titular antagonist, a character first introduced in the 1967 episode “Space Seed,” to the franchise’s first genuine super-villain. Alongside him emerged a chilling new weapon, the Genesis Device, capable of eradicating all life on an entire planet. As a devoted fan, I find this development intriguing and it significantly enhances my appreciation for the series.
The Genesis Device was initially developed for transforming a barren planet into a lush, habitable environment. However, it only becomes a weapon when it falls into Khan’s possession. Before Khan executes his plan to employ it in his vengeful scheme, Dr. McCoy warns that its capabilities could lead to a catastrophic event affecting the entire universe. While it can annihilate life as easily as nurture it, Khan never fully unleashes its power, which is the sole reason it appears at the bottom of this ranking.
Indeed, it manages to transform a lifeless asteroid into a vibrant world teeming with life, even bringing back to life the deceased Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) miraculously. Later on, it made an appearance as an Easter egg in Season 3 of “Star Trek: Picard.
10. Xindi Spheres
In 2001, “Star Trek: Enterprise” ventured into the franchise’s past by launching a prequel series that took place centuries before characters like Picard, Janeway, and Sisko. However, after the September 11 attacks, the show abandoned its initial optimistic vibe to tackle a grimmer narrative of interstellar terrorism. This was orchestrated by an alien civilization called the Xindi who aimed to annihilate humanity. Their main tools were a set of massive spheres that could obliterate an entire planet with a single blast.
In the prequel series, the Xindi Spheres pose a greater danger than the Death Star-like comparison might suggest, as the United Federation of Planets has not yet been established. The NX-01 Enterprise, equipped with Earth’s only Warp 5 engine, is the sole ship capable of reaching them, but it lacks enough firepower to battle even a single Klingon warship. The spheres depicted in action are merely prototypes, with larger ones still being built that could inflict even more damage. Fortunately, Captain Archer (played by Scott Bakula) manages to prevent the activation of the final spheres and dissuades the Xindi from viewing humans as a threat, with some aid from friendly Andorians.
9. The Abronath
In the 2016 film “Star Trek Beyond,” producer J.J. Abrams introduced Idris Elba as the antagonist, Krall, within the Star Trek series. Initially appearing to be a ruthless alien ruler, Krall is actually a former Starfleet captain who, having been abandoned by the Federation and presumed dead, employs advanced alien technology to preserve his life and alter his physical form. With a vendetta in mind, Krall devises a strategy to retaliate, one that centers around gathering an ancient and potent artifact known as the Abronath.
Ages past, inhabitants of the planet Altamid crafted the lethal Abronath, a bio-engineered contagion designed to annihilate life forms instantly upon activation. However, it soon proved too powerful for them to handle, prompting them to fragment it. Despite this, Krall successfully reassembled it. In the ensuing conflict, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and his crew thwarted Krall’s plans to unleash the Abronath on Starbase Yorktown, with only Krall himself succumbing to its destructive power.
8. Soran’s Trilithium missile
In “Star Trek: Generations,” Captain Picard and his crew on the Enterprise-D experienced their first movie adventure. However, it was the sad demise of the iconic Captain Kirk (portrayed by William Shatner) that received the most attention, a loss still remembered as one of the most heartbreaking in “Star Trek” lore. Interestingly, what tends to be underappreciated is that this film also expanded the Star Trek franchise’s arsenal of potent weapons, with these being wielded by the movie’s antagonist, Soran (played by Malcolm McDowell).
An El-Aurian scientist develops an uncontrollable fascination with a vast cosmic force called the Nexus, which traverses the universe and is believed to grant eternal life. In the movie, Soran plans to manipulate the trajectory of this energy stream in space so it reaches him. To achieve his goal, he’s prepared to annihilate entire planets.
To complete his mission, Soran harnesses a potent energy source known as trilithium, which he transforms into a missile. This projectile is launched towards the core of a star, leading to an immediate supernova explosion. By the point when Kirk and Picard encounter him, he has already utilized this destructive power to obliterate the entire Armigosa star system, including its planets. In another instance, he employs it to destroy the Veridian star, resulting in the annihilation of an inhabited planet, Veridian III. Fortunately, Picard and Kirk manage to journey back in time far enough to halt this catastrophe; however, this selfless act ultimately claims Kirk’s life.
7. Species 8472’s bio-weapon
In the “Star Trek” universe, numerous alien races possess starships that function as formidable weapons in their own right. This power often derives from the collective strength of the entire vessel, rather than a single weapon system. For instance, the Borg are renowned for their cubes which combine remarkable speed with impenetrable shields, deadly energy weapons, and an ability to heal from damage.
8472 is not like most extraterrestrial beings; they originate from a unique dimension known as “fluidic space,” aptly named for its liquid-like qualities. Their vessels are naturally formed and armed with potent energy weapons capable of destroying a Borg cube in a single blast. However, what truly sets them apart is their ability to synchronize multiple ships, producing an immense beam reminiscent of the Death Star’s destructive power, sufficient to obliterate an entire planet.
This particular weapon isn’t commonly observed in action, yet its ability to amplify its firepower when multiple vessels collaborate indicates that the stronger the fleet they combine, the greater its potential strength. Consequently, it’s hard to predict exactly how formidable it could be.
6. Tox Uthat
A tiny crystal, no larger than your hand, is the Tox Uthat. Despite its diminutive size, it holds an impressive power that’s not immediately evident. So powerful, in fact, that its creator conceals it out of concern it might be misused. In the distant future, a duo of time-traveling extraterrestrials seek this artifact while Captain Picard is relaxing on Risa. They believe he may have it hidden, as portrayed in the “Next Generation” episode entitled “Captain’s Holiday.
The Tox Uthat is not a bomb or conventional weapon, but rather a quantum phase inhibitor capable of stopping all nuclear fusion in a star. Despite its similar effects to Soran’s trilithium missile, the Tox Uthat stands out due to its compact size and classification as a “device” instead of a bomb or mine, indicating it can be operated from afar. Its ability to destroy stars from a distance makes it highly dangerous, which is why its creator conceals it by traveling back in time. Because of its powerful nature and effective disguise, the Tox Uthat becomes a legend, with some like Picard doubting its existence.
5. The planet killer
Among all the weapons featured in the original “Star Trek” series, none surpass the might of the entity portrayed in the 1967 episode titled “The Doomsday Machine.” Known colloquially as the “planet killer,” it’s not just a vessel, but an immense, ancient weapon stretching for miles and dwarfing the USS Enterprise. When Captain Kirk encounters this device, it has already decimated the crew of the USS Constellation who sought refuge on a neighboring planet. Commander Matt Decker (William Windom), who miraculously survived, is the ship’s sole survivor – a character we hope will reappear in “Strange New Worlds.
According to Kirk, the destructive entity seems to be an ancient doomsday device and a last resort: A tool so potent that it could obliterate all parties in a cosmic battle, meant for use only when everything else fails. Sadly, this weapon is now wandering through the galaxy, leaving trails of destroyed star systems in its wake until Kirk and his crew on the Enterprise eventually find a means to halt it.
4. Red matter
2009’s “Star Trek” reboot by J.J. Abrams left many original fans, or Trekkies, dissatisfied for reasons beyond the absence of William Shatner. A significant issue was the shift towards high-octane action and spectacular visuals over the exploration of scientific principles and discovery that the series is known for. Critics also took aim at the introduction of a powerful weapon powered by an enigmatic substance called red matter, which deviated from the show’s traditionally cerebral approach.
Instead of adhering strictly to previous “Star Trek” scientific principles, this movie doesn’t bother explaining the science behind its concepts. However, Leonard Nimoy’s character Spock describes a remarkable property of red matter: a mere droplet can generate a black hole large enough to engulf an entire planet. The malevolent Romulan named Nero (played by Eric Bana) transforms this into a weapon, annihilating Vulcan. Unfortunately, this action triggers an unexpected consequence: the black hole it creates sends Nero back in time, shaping an entirely new reality – the one where J.J. Abrams’ films take place. Given its potential to eradicate planets and transport beings through time, red matter weapons might be significantly more potent than we currently perceive.
3. Borg multikinetic neutronic mine
In a different phrasing, it often happens that halting the Borg results in fresh technological advancements, such as transforming the Enterprise’s deflector dish into a large cannon or using a logic puzzle as a harmful computer virus. However, in the “Star Trek: Voyager” two-episode arc titled “Scorpion,” the writers conceived a novel Borg weapon: the multikinetic neutronic mine.
Using a multi-kinetic neutronic mine, the Borg have the ability to assimilate all life within a radius of five light years. This device generates a massive shockwave filled with nanoprobes that disseminate across space, likely reaching inhabited planets. Given its immense power, it’s surprising they don’t use it more frequently. However, in the series, we only learn about this weapon from Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) as a potential strategy during their conflict with Species 8472, but we never actually see it being deployed.
2. Annorax’s temporal super weapon
On the Star Trek series “Voyager,” Captain Janeway’s (Kate Mulgrew) most relentless adversary is arguably the Borg Queen, but when it comes to captivating villainy, Krenim scientist Annorax (portrayed by Kurtwood Smith), takes the lead. Just like great antagonists often do, Annorax had a heart-wrenching objective with a personal touch: In his quest to vanquish the Krenim’s ultimate enemy, he creates a weapon that unintentionally results in the demise of 50 million of his kin – including his own spouse.
The weapon possesses an extraordinary ability: instead of annihilating its targets, it obliterates them from historical records, ensuring they were never part of existence at all, modifying time indefinitely. On the other hand, his ship is fortified with sophisticated temporal barriers that render it invulnerable to common weapons. Other ships lack such protection, making him virtually unstoppable. Furthermore, this unique characteristic grants Annorax and his crew everlasting life, as they systematically erase countless lives – even entire species – during their extended mission.
Fortunately, with the assistance of Annorax’s empathetic first officer, the Voyager crew manage to reverse events and erase the existence of his weapon from history. However, when he does possess it, his ability to destroy entire civilizations, manipulate histories, and create alternate realities makes Annorax one of the most potent mortals ever known.
1. Q Continuum weapons
In the realm of Star Trek, when we typically consider powerful weapons, our minds often gravitate towards high-tech gadgets, sophisticated warships, or destructive means engineered by humans. However, there exist other potential catastrophes within this universe, including beings whose powers verge on deity-like levels. One such entity is the Q, who might seem counterintuitively to yield weapons of their own. What’s remarkable is that these weapons surpass the might of every weapon we’ve ever witnessed in Star Trek.
In the “Star Trek: Voyager” episode “The Q and the Grey,” I witnessed some extraordinary weaponry. During a civil war within the Q Continuum, a realm devoid of any physical form, these guns looked like 19th-century rifles and cannons – quite a strange sight if you’re not familiar with the Q Continuum (you might want to check out our primer for more details). What makes these weapons unique is that they can actually harm and eliminate the invulnerable and omnipotent beings of the Q, whereas in our dimension, these very same guns could trigger colossal supernovas or even annihilate entire galaxies.
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2024-10-20 23:31