Reflect Barrier

Reflect Barrier (, Reflection Panel) is Palutena's side special move in Super Smash Bros. 4, and part of her down special move in Ultimate.

Overview
When activating this move, Palutena raises her shield forward, summoning in front of her a rectangular wall of purple light which reflects projectiles. This barrier moves slowly away from her, pushing any opponents who make contact and vanishing shortly after. Palutena's shield damages close enemies for 5% and is unblockable, but does negligible knockback and is thus of niche use as an actual attack. While the barrier is wide and tall, it is far from flawless: if aimed right, small and guided projectiles can glance off the top of the wall and hit Palutena, and the move is unable to protect her back. Additionally, if the barrier reflects too much damage (e.g. multiple Green Shells), it will break. Unlike other reflectors, the move can be used immediately after it shatters.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, it was relocated to her down special in conjunction with her down special, Counter, and replaced by her neutral special custom move, Explosive Flame. Now, when Palutena counters a projectile, she produces the Reflect Barrier instead of performing her usual attack. Unlike in Super Smash Bros. 4 the barrier no longer moves at all, remaining stationary in front of her until the move's conclusion, and Palutena's shield no longer generates an unblockable hitbox.

Customization
Special Move customization was added in Super Smash Bros. 4. These are the variations:

Origin
Reflect Barrier is an offensive-typed power that Pit or a can wield in Kid Icarus: Uprising. Using this power conjures a shield that deflects projectiles from opponents for a limited time. Unlike the barrier's incarnation in Smash 4, its incarnation in Uprising is stationary, and simply blocks the path. The barrier's physical appearance and its ability to deflect projectiles in Uprising, however, carry over to Smash 4.

Trivia

 * Reflect Barrier is one of six special moves to have its directional input changed throughout the series. The other five are Boomerang, PK Fire, Pound, Rock Smash and Explosive Flame.
 * If the Shadow Assist Trophy freezes Palutena while performing Reflect Barrier, the reflect hitbox (and counter hitbox in Ultimate) will remain active and trigger if hit.