Dimensional Barrier

The new Solemn Strike, I mean Solemn Warning, I mean (insert generic busted trap that shakes up the format when released.) First time I played this card upon its OCG release, I chained it to an Instant Fusion. But instead of calling Fusion, after thinking about it for a second, I called XYZ, which ended up forcing my opponent to still summon his only Norden, but rendered his play crushed. And that’s the real power of Dimensional Barrier. If you think about each play, you find there’s myriad options at your disposal to mess the opponent up.

What makes Dimensional Barrier currently so wicked is that it comes right after the abolishment of Kozmo. Since the existing game is now extremely focused on the extra deck again, Barrier is at full strength, ready to provide the perfect counter to ABC, Blue-Eyes, Metalfoes and Zodiac Beast. Seriously, Juunishishi is running over everything in Japan, and ABC is crushing it everywhere else, as expected, so Dimensional Barrier is almost a must in most decks. However, I think there’s a very good argument for not running 3. Unlike Solemn Strike, there’s no destruction, and therefore no finality to the play that Strike and Warning provides. And since so many decks have extra deck options that include both XYZ and Synchro, Dimensional Barrier can often be the play that you wish had been Strike or Warning instead.

At the very least, Barrier is one of the best side decks cards possible, and should be involved in your deck building, regardless of theme. There’s really no logical reason not to have them in your side deck to be honest, since it’s screaming to mess up your opponent plays for no cost except itself.

Advanced: 4.5/5

Future Potential: 4.5/5

Negates a broad range of monsters' effects, except regular effect monsters. Generally, it can't be a guarenteed main deck card, especially in a meta full of rogue decks, but perhaps in a very clear competitive meta, one would feel more compelled to take that risk. Otherwise, solid side deck card all around. It could be another perennial like D.D. Crow and Effect Veiler.

It's kind of like a more situational version of Breakthrough Skill mixed with a more limited version of Vanity's Emptiness. It has some situationality and it won't be as devastating as the latter. I'd keep my eye out for this card.

4/5

Dimensional Barrier is a $70 Normal Trap Card that has no cost, but it can only be activated once per turn. During that turn, the player picks a special monster type, so not dragon, spellcaster, or toon, but Ritual, Fusion, or XYZ etc. Then all of the cards of that type on the field have their effects negated and they can't be Special Summoned from anywhere. This is a stall card. It's also a very big Breakthrough Skill that doesn't target. So it is is great defense from linear decks that need one special monster type to win, but not so great as a long term solution to you winning. Personally, the goal should be to win so I am not a fan of this card over negation/destruction effects. However, Dimensional Barrier is great costless defense that really hinders comebacks from the opponent and therefore worthy of a good score.
 
Score: 4/5
Art: 3/5