Star Trek’s universe, filled with its infinite diversity in infinite combinations, has given us countless memorable first contact moments. While many of these encounters have paved the way for alliances and understanding, others have led to conflict, chaos, and catastrophe. In honor of First Contact Day, here are the top 5 most disastrous first contacts in Star Trek, ranked.

5. The Pakled Encounter - Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Samaritan Snare"

At number five, we have the seemingly benign first encounter with the Pakleds. The Enterprise-D crew meets the Pakleds, a species pretending to be less advanced to exploit others technologically. Initially comical, this encounter takes a darker turn as the Pakleds capture Geordi La Forge, showcasing the dangers of underestimating a species based on first impressions.

4. The Kazon Introduction - Star Trek: Voyager, "Caretaker"

The USS Voyager’s first contact with the Kazon sets the stage for much of the conflict in the early seasons of Voyager. Stranded in the Delta Quadrant, Voyager's crew seeks water from the Kazon, inadvertently igniting tensions. This encounter leads to ongoing hostilities, making Voyager’s journey home even more perilous.

3. The Crystal Entity - Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Silicon Avatar"

The third spot goes to the tragic interactions with the Crystalline Entity, a spacefaring creature consuming life at a planetary scale. While not a traditional first contact, the Enterprise-D's efforts to communicate with it end in disaster when a scientist, seeking revenge for the loss of her son to the Entity, destroys it, highlighting the consequences of letting grief overpower the potential for understanding.

2. The Borg Collective - Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Q Who"

The encounter with the Borg Collective is perhaps one of the most iconic and chilling in Star Trek history. Introduced by Q, the Borg’s assimilation-driven ethos and overwhelming technological superiority mark this first contact as a dire warning of the existential threats lurking in the galaxy. The encounter leaves the Enterprise-D crew shaken and sets the stage for some of the most dramatic moments in the franchise’s history.

1. The Dominion - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "The Jem'Hadar"

Topping our list is the introduction of the Dominion. This first contact quickly escalates from curious exploration to an all-out declaration of war, marking the beginning of one of the most significant conflicts in the Star Trek universe. The encounter with the Dominion not only showcases the peril of underestimating unknown cultures but also sets in motion a saga of war, diplomacy, and the struggle for freedom across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants.

Each of these first contacts, disastrous in their own rights, serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and dangers inherent in reaching out across the stars. They underscore the core Star Trek premise that, despite the best intentions, the unknown often comes with unforeseen consequences.