The Reflector (also known as the Shine) is Fox's, Falco's, Wolf's and (one of) Mii Gunner's Down Special Move in the Super Smash Bros. series. When used, the user creates a hexagonal (octagonal if is Mii Gunner's) energy field which acts as a shield, and deflects any projectile from any angle, with the exception of Final Smashes. It can also be used to damage enemies in close proximity to the user when activated.
However, if this shield deflects too many projectiles in one use, or if its user attempts to reflect a projectile of sufficient power (such as a constantly reflected Red or Green Shell), it will shatter like a normal shield, and leave the user stunned. In Brawl, the Reflector does not shatter. Rather, it simply ceases reflecting projectiles. The shield originates from a small device the user carries. How it is used and its effects depends on the user.
Fox McCloud
Fox's Reflector creates a blue hexagonal shield around himself. Fox can keep the Reflector active for as long as he wants, and using it in midair slows his falling speed. This works by reducing his air speed and resetting his downwards acceleration. The Reflector multiplies a projectile's damage and knockback by 1.5 when reflected. If the projectile is reflected several times, it may break, similar to a shield breaking. The Reflector is often used for shine spikes, which involve using the Reflector's damaging properties to knock recovering enemies downwards. It is also extremely useful against bosses, considering most of their attacks are projectiles.
In Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee, the Reflector caused a sound effect identical to the sound effect used for picking up items. Because of this, Fox made a different sound when he grabbed items. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the Reflector's sound effect was changed.
While in the reflector, Fox's falling speed is altered: Fox falls and accelerates more slowly. In Brawl, Fox can effectively hover in the air by repeatedly using it. The slowed down falling speed, mixed with the damaging aspect of the Reflector, can prevent Fox being juggled. However, shine-spiking in Brawl is much less useful, due to a combination of the Reflector's damage affected knockback, higher floatiness, and longer recoveries.
Fox's Special Moves | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
64 | Melee | Brawl | 3DS/Wii U | Ultimate | |
Standard Special | Blaster | ||||
Side Special | — | Fox Illusion | |||
Up Special | Fire Fox | ||||
Down Special | Reflector | ||||
Final Smash | — | Landmaster | Team Star Fox |
Glitch
There is also a glitch that causes some visible effects to disappear, by using his reflector. It has been confirmed to work in Pictochat, Pokémon Stadium (1), Brinstar, and Custom Stages. By activating the reflector on the right edge of Pictochat and being pushed to the right will cause the reflector to change quicker, until a purple outline appears. Hold the Reflector for several minutes after and slowly, "special" effects will no longer be visible. Fox can now be pushed away from the edge. This will end with invisible shields and some Final Smashes will look a bit different, PK Starstorm has been confirmed. The hanging bush that comes up in Pokémon Stadium on the Grass stage has the same shape as the edge on Pictochat, and the glitch will activate and perform similarly. The most difficult location to do the glitch is at Brinstar because it is done on the upper right platform after breaking the connection and the lava will cancel out the glitch. In fact, any attack the disturbs the Reflector will reset the effects, and even if the effects are not visible they are still there and can do damage if it is an attack.
Custom Variations
Big Reflector
Big Reflector is one of Fox's Down Special Moves that can be used through customization. Big Reflector is a larger reflective shield that doesn't power up reflected projectiles.
Amplifying Reflector
Amplifying Reflector is one of Fox's Down Special Moves that can be used via customization. This reflector sends projectiles back with twice the speed and power, but it takes longer to activate.
Fox's Custom Special Moves | ||
---|---|---|
Custom 1 | Custom 2 | |
Standard Special | Impact Blaster | Charge Blaster |
Side Special | Fox Burst | Wolf Flash |
Up Special | Flying Fox | Twisting Fox |
Down Special | Big Reflector | Amplifying Reflector |
Falco Lombardi
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Falco's Reflector is identical to Fox's, although it sends opponents upwards when used as an attack. Because of this, Falco cannot waveshine combo, unlike Fox. He can, however, Star KO with it.
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Falco uses his Reflector by kicking it away from him when it is activated, returning as if magnetized. Not only does this serve as a Reflector, but also as a quick surprising hit. If timed correctly, it will make the opponent it hits trip. This is considered a Reflector that is a projectile, and it travels through enemies unhindered. Because Falco kicks it, he cannot hold it in place. This means that when playing as Falco, the player must have good timing to reflect projectiles. When the Reflector comes back to Falco, it can also reflect any projectiles back at any angle at the last second. Unlike Fox's, Falco's reflector will not reduce his falling speed.
Falco's Special Moves | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Melee | Brawl | 3DS/Wii U | Ultimate | |
Standard Special | Blaster | |||
Side Special | Falco Phantasm | |||
Up Special | Fire Bird | |||
Down Special | Reflector | |||
Final Smash | — | Landmaster | Team Star Fox |
Custom Variations
Accele-Reflector
Accele-Reflector is one of Falco's Down Special Moves that can be used through customization. Falco only reflects projectiles when moving forward, but sends them back stronger than normal.
Reflector Void
Reflector Void is one of Falco's Down Special Moves that can be used via customization. This reflector destroys shots rather than reflecting them. The reflector itself does more damage.
Falco's Custom Special Moves | ||
---|---|---|
Custom 1 | Custom 2 | |
Standard Special | Explosive Blaster | Burst Blaster |
Side Special | Falco Phase | Falco Charge |
Up Special | Fast Fire Bird | Distant Fire Bird |
Down Special | Accele-Reflector | Reflector Void |
Wolf O'Donnell
Wolf's Reflector differs from Fox's and Falco's in appearance, resembling a pink, elliptical "cat's eye", as opposed to a blue hexagonal shape, and Wolf carries his reflecting device on his back instead of his belt. When deflecting projectiles, it reflects them at double their initial speed. The reflector is activated in one frame, and can be held for as long as desired. When used, the first few frames provide him with invincibility, followed by a "zap" that deals 3% damage, and a small amount of set knockback to any opponents touching it; the least knockback of all reflectors. If B is held, it will then function as a projectile deflector, but will also leave Wolf vulnerable to physical attacks; otherwise, it ceases after a short cooldown period. The initial frames of Wolf's Reflector can operate as a sort of counter: invincibility is used to avoid an attack, then the reflector damages the attacker. Unlike Fox's reflector, Wolf's reflector will not significantly reduce his falling speed.
A glitch will sometimes occur, causing the appearance of a smaller reflector field within the usual reflector field. This seems to be a graphical glitch, as it only impacts the animation of the reflector.
Wolf's Special Moves | ||
---|---|---|
Brawl | Ultimate | |
Standard Special | Blaster | |
Side Special | Wolf Flash | |
Up Special | Fire Wolf | |
Down Special | Reflector | |
Final Smash | Landmaster | Team Star Wolf |
Mii Gunner
Mii Gunner's Echo Reflector works the same as Fox's, however, it is octagonal shaped and it has a red glowing effect. The reflected attacks will be more powerful.
Origin
Like most of Fox's moves, the Reflector is unique to the Super Smash Bros. series, but may have been inspired by the Arwing's ability to deflect enemy fire by doing a Barrel Roll, plus it's hexagonal shape is the same as the Rings on Star Fox 64. As revealed in Brawl, Slippy Toad is the Reflector's original designer, and provided Fox and Falco with this special equipment for the occasion of fighting.
Reflectable attacks
The reflector can reflect almost all projectiles in the game, including moving Pokémon, Boss Attacks and many Assist Trophy attacks, with notable exception of Final Smashes and Isaac's "Move." Below is a list of all the attacks that can be reflected:
Items
- Any thrown item.
Character Moves
- Final Cutter's Beam.
- Fireball.
- Thunder Jolt.
- Thunder. (When not in contact with Pikachu, and doesn't work in SSB)
- Fire Breath.
- Flamethrower.
- Turnips.
- PK Fire.
- Blaster shots.
- Paralyzer.
- Charge Shot.
- Pit's arrows.
- Hero's Bow.
- Boomerang.
- Chef. (Only the food)
Item Attacks
- Ray Gun.
- Super Scope.
- Hothead. (Even when it lands on the stage and is sliding)
- Poké Ball. (Will be the player's assist if reflected)
Pokémon
- Piplup.
- Bonsly.
- Meowth's coins.
- Electrode. (When thrown)
- Staryu's Swift.
- Chikorita's Razor Leaf.
Boss Attacks
- Master Hand and Crazy Hand's Gun Attack.
- Duon's Purple Lasers.
- Rayquaza's Energy Blast.
- Meta Ridley's Orange Lasers and Red Fireballs.
Assist-Trophy Attacks
- Hammer Bro's Hammers.
- Infantry's Bullets and Tank's Missiles.
- Jeff's Rockets.