Star Trek has not named an official pair of “most powerful races” in the 32nd century. Discovery instead shows several surviving cultures with different kinds of influence: political reach, technological capability, or simple continuity. The Tholian Republic and the Breen Imperium are strong candidates when power means political or strategic influence, but the series does not rank them above every other species.
What “powerful” means in the 32nd century
Power in Star Trek is not a single measurable trait. A society may wield political influence without having the most advanced technology; a civilization may possess extraordinary technology without seeking territory or military dominance. Discovery’s future-era stories support comparisons across these dimensions, but no published statistic or canonical ranking settles which species are the two most powerful.
- Political reach: the ability to shape alliances, influence other worlds, or negotiate with the Federation.
- Strategic or military weight: the capacity to threaten, resist, or compete with other powers. The official accounts describe political conflict, not a comparative military inventory.
- Technology: demonstrated capabilities, which do not necessarily translate into political control.
- Continuity: evidence that a people or culture persists. Survival alone is not proof of dominance.
Which species are credible candidates?
Tholians: documented influence over other worlds
In its account of Discovery’s final-season diplomacy, StarTrek.com describes the Tholian Republic as a potential influence on a coalition of smaller worlds. President T’Rina’s concern establishes that the Tholians carry diplomatic weight in the era. Their history of isolation and later diplomatic engagement makes them a notable political actor, but the account does not establish that they command the galaxy or outrank every rival.
Breen: a powerful presence, without a formal ranking
StarTrek.com characterizes the Breen Imperium as a powerful presence in the Alpha Quadrant. Discovery’s final season also foregrounds its hierarchy and the consequences of L’ak’s status as a Scion. That is evidence of consequential political and social power in the story, not a canon declaration that the Breen are more powerful than the Tholians, Federation, or any other species.
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Orions: a major power that is regrouping
After the Burn, Orions allied with the Andorians and formed the Emerald Chain, an organization that rivaled the Federation. The Chain collapsed after its leader, Osyraa, died during a failed attempt at unification. By 3190, Rayner says the Orions are regrouping and may again pose a problem for the Federation. The distinction matters: the Chain’s former reach should not be mistaken for an intact 3190 empire. StarTrek.com’s account of the political developments describes both the collapse and the Orions’ renewed activity.
Species Ten-C: extraordinary technology, different kind of power
The Federation calls them Species Ten-C; that is a designation, not their own name for themselves. After a cataclysm on their planet, they relocated to another star system and built a vast hyperfield to preserve their privacy. Discovery’s crew eventually communicated with them and persuaded them to stop the harmful Dark Matter Anomaly. Their technology and survival are striking, but the story does not establish them as a political or military power seeking influence over other worlds. StarTrek.com’s overview of Discovery’s 32nd-century cultures presents them as one of several distinct examples of survival and capability.
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Survival is not the same as dominance
The 32nd-century galaxy contains more than rival empires. A Saurian delegate attended the final Federation negotiations to bring Ni’Var back into the Federation. StarTrek.com says that appearance confirmed Saurian culture continued to thrive within the Federation in this era. It is concrete evidence of cultural continuity and participation in a major political institution, but not evidence that the Saurians independently rank among the galaxy’s strongest powers. The official species overview also covers the wider range of cultures present in Discovery’s future setting.
The Federation and Starfleet themselves also endure, though their influence changes after the Burn. Saru’s path—from Discovery captain after the ship’s arrival in the future to Federation ambassador—illustrates that continuity. It also cautions against reducing the era to a contest between species: political institutions bring together many peoples, and their strength cannot be assigned neatly to one race.
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Why the most advanced technology does not settle the question
Discovery’s Progenitors story makes the distinction between capability and rightful control explicit. Burnham chose not to return the Progenitors’ life-creating technology to the Federation because she judged it too powerful for one person or culture to control. The decision is a warning against treating possession of a transformative technology as a simple measure of superiority. In an interview about the series’ conclusion, actor Doug Jones described the choice as a moral question; that comment speaks to the story’s ethical framing, not to a canon ranking of species. StarTrek.com’s interview and retrospective discuss Saru and Burnham’s decision.
So, who are the two most powerful?
If “powerful” means current political influence, the Tholian Republic and Breen Imperium are defensible candidates based on the official descriptions of their influence and standing. If it means recent ability to rival the Federation, the Emerald Chain—and the Orions regrouping after its collapse—belong in the comparison. If it means technological capability, Species Ten-C presents a different kind of candidate. These are evidence-based interpretations, not an official top-two list; Discovery leaves the ranking undefined.
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Are the Borg confirmed to be in the 32nd century?
The official accounts cited here do not establish whether the Borg are present in the 32nd century. They document other surviving cultures and political actors, but that is not a complete census of every species in the galaxy. It would be inaccurate to infer either that the Borg survived into this era or that they did not based on these accounts alone.
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