Brandon Sanderson Gushes Over MTG's Star Trek Set and Its 'Perfect Kirk'

If you needed any more proof that Brandon Sanderson is the ultimate geek-culture crossover himself, look no further than his latest podcast episode. The bestselling Cosmere author took a detour from all things epic fantasy to enthusiastically break down Magic: The Gathering's upcoming Star Trek collaboration — and his take on one particular card is raising some very intriguing eyebrows.

A Podcast, a Podcast Host, and a Very Clever Kirk Card

Sanderson and his co-host Dan Wells opened this week's episode with an animated discussion about the cards dropping in the new MTG Star Trek set, slated for release later in November. According to IGN, one card stole the spotlight entirely: the mono red Captain James T. Kirk, inspired by William Shatner's iconic portrayal from the original series. Sanderson couldn't hide his admiration, calling it a "perfect Kirk."

"I thought their Kirk was really clever," Sanderson said on the podcast. "If you have no options, he gives you them, right? He draws you a card and/or you discard a card and then draw one. So if you have no cards in hand, he gives you a card. So he solves the unsolvable problems, he makes a red shirt, and he buffs your team with a rousing speech."

It's hard to argue with that logic — the card's mechanics genuinely mirror Kirk's legendary never-say-die attitude. Finding solutions when none seem to exist? Inspiring the crew against all odds? That is Kirk, distilled into cardboard form.

More Than Just Fan Enthusiasm?

Of course, Sanderson has never been shy about his love for both Star Trek and Magic: The Gathering. But the timing and depth of this particular conversation has fans speculating that there's something bigger brewing beneath the surface. Sanderson's relationship with Wizards of the Coast isn't casual — back in March 2025, he exclusively previewed a new card for Tarkir Dragonstorm, signaling a genuine, ongoing partnership with the game's publisher.

On top of that, Reddit communities have long discussed a fan-created custom Stormlight Archive MTG set, and the idea of an official Universes Beyond collaboration featuring Sanderson's sprawling Cosmere universe has been a popular theory for some time. Given that Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere is already bigger than its TV deal, the intellectual property certainly has the scope and fan passion to support an MTG crossover.

A Universe Ripe for the Tabletop

Consider the evidence stacking up: Sanderson has a well-documented love of tabletop gaming, a deepening relationship with Wizards of the Coast, and a Cosmere universe packed with richly distinct worlds, magic systems, and larger-than-life characters just begging to be translated into card mechanics. Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere RPG Starter Set already landed on Target shelves, showing that the franchise is actively expanding its tabletop footprint in a major way.

And let's not forget the bigger picture: with an Apple TV adaptation currently in development and a massive Stormlight Archive board game heading to Kickstarter later this year, the Cosmere machine is firing on all cylinders. A Magic: The Gathering Universes Beyond set would fit neatly into that expansion strategy.

What's Next for Sanderson's Ever-Growing Empire?

For now, Sanderson is channeling pure fan energy, and honestly, it's one of the most endearing things about him. Whether he's celebrating cult favorites like Speed Racer or geeking out over a beautifully designed card game character, he wears his passions openly and without apology.

The Kirk card in question is available in the base MTG Star Trek set — not locked behind Commander Deck preorders — though how easy it will be to pull remains to be seen until the set officially launches in November. In the meantime, Sanderson fans and MTG players alike have plenty of reason to stay tuned. If a Cosmere-themed Magic set ever does materialize, this podcast episode might just be the moment we all look back on as the beginning of that conversation.