I just ranked 6 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds characters according to their superpowers

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (first released in May 2022 on Paramount+), the crew of the USS Enterprise may appear plain human at first glance, but several among them have concealed genetic enhancements, foreign bloodlines, and clandestine histories. In fact, there are six characters that possess either superhuman abilities or extraordinary capabilities.

What is remarkable here is not these qualities, but the way they shape the interactions between these characters throughout the series, pecking order, and ethical decisions during their time on the ship.

For the purpose of this article, these six unique individuals have been categorized based on their creativity, practicality, or potency of their skills throughout all the seasons, instead of attractiveness, relevance to the story, or their rank

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6. Captain Christopher Pike – The man who knows his fate

Pike (Anson Mount) doesn’t have traditional superpowers, but he does have the burden of a clairvoyance that few could endure. After his encounter with the time crystal, Pike learns about his tragic future—he will be brutally injured and wheelchair-bound. Captain Christopher Pike's premonition of his future, particularly his disfigurement on the USS Enterprise, is a central element of the series.

That sort of foresight is quite painful, but it also offers clarity. Empathy, purpose, and unwavering resolve mark his path. In the world of Star Trek, this might just be inner superhuman strength at its best.

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5. Lt. La’an Noonien-Singh – The descendant of Khan

La’an (Christina Chong) is the Security Chief of the starship with a family heritage that is one for the books. She is the direct descendant of Khan Noonien Singh, which means she possesses his genetic enhancements. Although La’an chooses not to display overt forms of super strength, her survival instincts, mental dissociation, and ability to concentrate suggest otherwise.

Surviving a Gorn attack as a child, her psyche is still impacted. She possesses a form of superinfluence, which is most likely a strength of will. Over the course of the upcoming seasons, it is expected that the audience will see more of her true capabilities.

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4. Lt. Spock – Half-Vulcan, all logic (mostly)

Spock had and still has doubtlessly earned his popularity, but in Strange New Worlds, his unrivaled skills are electrifying. As always, he is a spouse of two opposing forces: the mind and muscle. With super strength, the Vulcan ways of mind melding and telepathy, along with the good ol’ nerve pinch, it is impossible not to break a sweat when thinking of Spock. The classic suppressor of emotions gives him a huge leap ahead, but at times, his devoid-of-emotion persona draws on energy from his humanity.

Vulcans and emotions don’t mix, and when anger or potential danger is enveloped, everything that is suppressed is released. In this case, Vulcan abilities get a boost straight from Spock’s heritage—both a curse and a surefire blessing.

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3. Commander Pelia – The immortal genius

Headed by Carol Kane, Commander Pelia is one of the most distinctive characters on the show. She is a Lanthanite, an extraterrestrial race that lives for over a thousand years. With Pelia asserting to have known earthly legends like Cary Grant and Pythagoras, she now claims to have walked Earth for centuries. She only recently took it upon herself to master engineering, and somehow she became so good at it that she now teaches at Starfleet Academy.

Hers is an unrivaled intellect in that she can perform exceedingly complex skills in minimal time and can achieve a great degree of locomotor endurance. Pelia’s quirky persona conceals unparalleled wisdom and experience, granting her the ability to not only be smart, but immortally smart.

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2. Dr. Joseph M’Benga – The super soldier doctor

Dr. M’Benga (Babs Olusanmokun) is more than the Enterprise’s Chief Medical Officer. During the Klingon War, he was known as “The Ghost,” a legendary combat operative with unmatched skills in close quarters combat. But the real twist? He created a chemical enhancer—Protocol 12—that amplifies his speed, strength, and pain tolerance.

Bringing this serum on missions transforms his combat prowess into a dormant arsenal, and even Nurse Chapel has reaped the rewards. M’Benga’s gifting isn’t just in the act of fighting—rather, it's in deciding to heal instead of hurt, even when he can do otherwise.

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1. Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley – Genetically engineered to perfection

Number One, or Una Chin-Riley, portrayed by Rebecca Romijn, tops the list. She is an Illyrian, a class of people with one too many alterations, and her set of improvements consists of an enhanced physique, superhuman strength, and an immune system that withstands essentially every illness. In the context of high-stakes missions, her abilities are transcendent—mutually helpful and strategic.

Due to the legal ramifications concerning genetic alteration within a Federation, Una kept her secret under wraps for years. After a powerful court-martial story arc, however, she has come to embrace her identity. Out of every single human on the Enterprise, she is the most physically powerful, and she exercises that incredible strength, heart, and integrity she possesses.

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Conclusion: Why superpowers in Star Trek hit different

Unlike in superhero franchises, where powers tend to be used purely for the sake of amusement, in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, powers facilitate the examination of more profound questions about one’s identity, ethics, and what it truly means to be human—or alien.

The characters in the show are not just powerful. Striking, intricate, and multi-stranded narratives like these are crafted through conflicted, duty-bound, emotionally rich, or deeply traumatized individuals.

As Season 3 approaches, it is thrilling to think about how these powers will change and how they might clash or combine in unprecedented fashions. Each power in question weaves a narrative that is quintessentially Star Trek, whether it is Spock’s logical prowess, M’Benga’s chemical advantage, or even Una’s brawn.