Hello again to Pojo and Yugioh fans one and all!  Today, as the name of my article suggests, I'm going to do an in depth comparison between Solemn Judgment and Dark Bribe.  I'm also going to point out while the card reads "Solemn Judgment," without an e, that "Judgment" with an e, is an accepted spelling.

Anyway...Solemn Judgment is a very popular card this Format, and that is quite understandable. 

Solemn Judgment

Counter Trap

Pay half of your Life Points when your opponent either activates a Magic or Trap Card or summons a monster (including Special Summon) to negate the action and destroy the Magic Card, Trap Card or summoned monster.

It should be obvious as to why Solemn Judgment sees play.  It is a card that should be found in everyone's Side Deck, and as stated, is found in many people's Main Deck.  Why?  Well, as you can tell, it can negate anything your opponent plays.

Don't want to stare down an opponent's monster?  Solemn Judgment. 

Don't want a Lightning Vortex to ruin your day and clear your Field? 

Solemn Judgment.  Need to stop a game ending Mirror Force?  Solemn Judgment.

Now, as good a card as Solemn Judgment is, it does come with quite a hefty price...or does it?  Solemn Judgment requires you to pay half your Lifepoints as a cost to negate whatever you so choose.  Obviously, in the early game, that could be devastating as you are probably dropping somewhere between 3000-4000 Lifepoints.

However, Solemn Judgment only gets better as the Duel moves along. 

Why?  Odds are, even if you are winning, you are going to have less Lifepoints, which makes the cost of Solemn Judgment go down.  It simply sweetens the deal, as your cost becomes smaller and smaller while possibly negating something huge your opponent needs for the win.

Solemn Judgment can stop your opponent from a game-ending Mirror Force, Dark Armed Dragon, or what have you, for say, less than 1000 Lifepoints, obviously depending on what you have, and help you to win the Duel on your turn.

Now, let's take a look at Dark Bribe.

Dark Bribe

Counter Trap

Negate the effect of an opponent's Magic or Trap Card, and destroy it. 

Your opponent Draws one card.

Now, some are hailing Dark Bribe as the new Solemn Judgment...while others simply see it as the poor man's Solemn Judgment.  Dark Bribe, is obviously not quite as versatile as Solemn Judgment, but it can negate a Magic or Trap Card your opponent plays.

However, instead of requiring you to pay an amount of your Lifepoints, your opponent is allowed to Draw one card.  It doesn't, as you see, have the ability to negate the summon of an opponent's monster. 

Dark Bribe seems to be a better early to mid-game card, as you wouldn't be required to pay a hefty amount of Lifepoints, and all you have that negatively happens is your opponent is able to Draw one card.

I believe Solemn Judgment is better in the late game however, as the ability to negate a monster summon, especially if Monster Reborn has been used, becomes more and more important.  Both are excellent cards, and it's obvious as to why they see play.

Well, that does it for today, and I hope you enjoyed it!  As always, if you need anything, please feel free to contact me with anything @ tsearcy@lssu.edu

You stay classy Planet Earth :)

~Dark Paladin~