Star Trek: 12 Most Powerful Beings Ever

The Q continuum were first openly discovered by the Federation during the Enterprise-D's maiden voyage, though that was not their first encounter with humanity. Omnipotent beings, possessing powers far greater than any others encountered by Starfleet and the Federation, they could alter existence to their will.

By the 2360s in human reckoning, as a continuum they had grown bored. They had done everything, learned everything, seen everything. There was nothing left to surprise them. They decided to amuse themselves by putting mankind on trial for its right to exist. The Q that would become the most well known face of the continuum made first contact with Picard, returning to treat with him many times.

Q was also directly responsible for introducing Starfleet to the Borg, though this might not have been the negative impact it initially seemed. Thanks to Q, Starfleet was able to begin preparations against the inevitable invasion.

Captain Janeway would become something of a focus for Q when he expressed an interest in mating with her to create new life in the continuum, which she flatly refused. Though Voyager would have a profound effect on the Q, with Janeway's ruling in favour of the asylum of another member leading to civil war.

The Q are as close to gods as the Federation has ever encountered, with very little known about them as a whole. While many simply ignore the petty squabbles of humanity, there are those who like to drop by, usually followed quickly by chaos.