Magic: The Gathering's upcoming Star Trek expansion includes a potent two-card combo that allows players to force opponents to draw cards until their libraries are depleted, resulting in a loss. This interaction involves Spock, Strangely Human, which is a Starfleet-themed version of Stella Lee, Wild Card, and the sorcery spell Make It So.
Spock's Infinite Combo
The combo leverages Spock, Strangely Human's ability to tap and copy an instant or sorcery spell if the player has cast at least three spells that turn. When Make It So, a modal sorcery with two options, is cast as the third spell of the turn, Spock can be tapped to copy it. The copied spell resolves first, untapping Spock and causing the targeted opponent to draw two cards. The original Make It So remains on the stack, allowing Spock to tap again and repeat the process. This can continue indefinitely, as Spock untaps himself with each resolution, leading to the opponent drawing from an empty library and losing the game.
Unlikely Combo, Familiar Roots
While potent, executing this combo in the prerelease environment is challenging. Stardates cards, like Spock, Strangely Human, appear in about one out of every 25 Play Boosters, making them rare finds. With only six Play Boosters typically included in a prerelease kit, acquiring both cards is a matter of significant luck. Furthermore, assembling the necessary setup—casting two spells before a four-mana sorcery and having Spock survive to use his ability—is not trivial in Limited formats. Opponent interaction via removal or counterspells also poses a threat.
Despite the difficulty of pulling it off in a Limited setting, the combo mechanics are familiar to Commander players, as Stella Lee has been part of similar combinations. Wizards of the Coast permits Stardates cards to be used in Limited formats for the Star Trek set, opening the possibility of this Commander-style combo appearing in 40-card Sealed decks.