Reflector (Falco)
- For the other down special moves of the same name, see Reflector (Fox) and Reflector (Wolf).
| Reflector | |
|---|---|
 Falco's Reflector in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. | |
| User | Falco |
| Universe | Star Fox |
| Article on Lylat Wiki | Reflector |
| “ | Hit an opponent with Reflector, and he or she will fly straight up; this is Falco's quickest attack. | ” |
| —Falco's Melee trophy description | ||
Reflector (リフレクター, Reflector), informally known as Shine notably in competitive play, is Falco's down special move.
Overview
In Melee, Falco's Reflector animation is identical to Fox's and additionally, Falco can also jump cancel his reflector, allowing him to wavedash out of it. The knockback on the move sends opponents upward, meaning he cannot combo most opponents with consecutive waveshines like Fox can. Falco's reflector, however, does combo into other aerials, particularly his down air to create the combo string known as pillaring which consists of excessive use of the reflector, down air, and up tilt. This potential means Falco's reflector has the potential for more extended combos. The vertical angle of his reflector also means Falco cannot edgeguard with it, but because of the move's high base knockback, Falco can combo consecutive shines for vertical KOs.
In Brawl, how Falco uses his Reflector is much different, as he now kicks it away in front of him when it is activated. It then returns to him as if magnetized. This serves not only as a reflector, but also as an unorthodox, but relatively unrewarding poke option in neutral. It can occasionally trip opponents, leaving them vulnerable to tech chases, but if the move doesn't trip, it is highly punishable. The Reflector's hitbox now also has a horizontal angle like Fox's, though it is weaker when used against airborne opponents, and doesn't grant invincibility frames anymore. It can travel through enemies unhindered, though. Also, since Falco kicks it, he cannot hold it in place, unlike Fox. This means that timing is crucial in reflecting projectiles. Note that when the Reflector comes back to Falco, it can also reflect any projectiles back at any angle at the last second.
In SSB4, the Reflector's hitbox can itself be reflected, though this does not affect its trajectory, and practically means it will just damage Falco instead of the opponent if the hitbox collides with him (or has not travelled far enough away yet). Visually, the move is unchanged, though Falco's animation for the move is more fluid and he catches his reflector when the move ends instead of it just disappearing. It still trips opponents at low percentages, but because of the higher hitstun in SSB4 and the move is additionally faster, the move is a safer and more reliable poking option than Brawl's version.
Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the known variations:
| 1. Reflector | 2. Accele-Reflector | 3. Reflector Void |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
| "Kick out an energy shield that reflects projectiles and deals damage." | "Only reflects when moving forward, but sends them back stronger than normal." | "Destroys shots rather than reflecting them. The reflector itself does more damage." |
- Reflector: Default.
- Accele-Reflector: Can only reflect when moving forward, reducing reflect window, but reflected projectiles are faster while dealing the same amount of damage. The reflector is recolored green, and deactivates once it stops moving forwards. Due to its changed properties, reflecting it cannot damage Falco.
- In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, this variation is a Challenge unlock, only obtainable by using Falco to get a chain of at least 150 in solo Trophy Rush. Golden Hammers will not work.
- Reflector Void: The reflector deals more damage and has a much larger hitbox radius, but the move is slower and destroys absorbable projectiles instead of reflecting them. It still reflects non-absorbable projectiles, but they deal 0.75x damage. The reflector is also recolored purple. Due to the reflector's knockback (which sends foes upward), it is possible to gain vertical KOs in a similar way to how Falco's reflector worked in Melee.
Accele-Reflector being used in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Reflector Void being used in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
Challenge board unlock image for Accele-Reflector.
Techniques
Origin
Like most of Falco'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. As revealed in Brawl, Slippy is the Reflector's original designer, and provided Fox and Falco with this special equipment for the occasion of fighting. The energy shield shape as a hexagon might also reference the shape of the Supply rings in Star Fox 64. Up until Brawl, there was no sign of how Fox or Falco activated their Reflectors, as the user simply held a stance and the energy shield simply "appeared" around them. However, Subspace Emissary and the Star Fox cast's redesigns in Brawl revealed that their reflectors were miniature devices that activated on a swipe of their hands. These devices would later make their first canonical appearance in Star Fox Zero, once again attached to Fox and Falco's belts but serving no purpose in gameplay.
Gallery
Falco's Reflector in Melee.
Falco's Reflector in Brawl.
