Attack reflection

Three questions for the mechanic

• What gets reflected?

  Declare which incoming attacks the mirror accepts. This example reflects Tavi's visible sword pulse, not the later close slash. The outgoing pulse is harmless to Tavi. At the 2.35-second contact, remove that pulse and spawn one hostile return bolt from the mirror; do not leave both versions active.

• Can the player read and leave the return lane?

  Keep the return trajectory fixed after contact and use a new color and motion direction to show that ownership changed. The 2.35–3.35 s flight gives Tavi time to step below the lane. Test clearance with the full player body and with the slowest intended movement speed.

• When does attacking become useful again?

  Lower the mirror at 4.30 s and let a normal sword strike connect at 4.72 s. Restore the guard visibly before the next loop. The opening prevents reflection from becoming a blanket ban on the player's established attack verb.

Design mistakes

• A blocked shot silently becomes damage

  A reflection must have a visible contact, a separate returning object, and collision that switches allegiance at the same instant. Never apply damage along an invisible reverse path.

• The mirror reflects everything forever

  If melee strikes, every projectile type, and every angle all rebound without an opening, the player's kit loses meaning. Define accepted attack classes and show a reliable route to the lowered-mirror state.

Tune the attack

• Make ownership explicit

  Use separate outgoing and return entities or an atomic ownership transfer. At contact, switch damage faction, collision mask, color, trail direction, and sound together. Preserve only properties that the rule promises, such as speed or status effects.

• Tune a fair escape budget

  Measure the return bolt's travel time against recognition, reaction, movement startup, and full-body clearance. Avoid a reflection that spawns on top of Tavi or tracks after the player has committed to an escape.

• Keep a useful attack choice

  This mirror accepts a sword pulse but not a close slash after the guard drops. In a game with other builds, decide whether heavy, piercing, or non-projectile attacks bypass the mirror and teach those exceptions before they matter.

• Test transitions frame by frame

  Check the frame before and after contact at 2.35 s, the return-bolt endpoint at 3.35 s, the open guard at 4.30 s, and the re-raised mirror after 5.63 s. Seeking and reduced motion must show the same rule as playback.

Arena

• A rune that turns outward

  The mirror's central rune faces Tavi while armed. Contact produces a single bright flare; the returned bolt uses a different glow from the outgoing pulse. When Kern lowers the mirror, the rune drops with it rather than remaining as a misleading floating shield.

Player upgrades

• Respect the player's established verbs

  Tavi already carries a sword, so the teaching pulse comes from that sword and the opening accepts an ordinary slash. If a game has no ranged attack, reflect a clearly defined melee wave or choose another defense mechanic; do not grant a one-off projectile just to justify reflection.

Do not confuse this with

• A returned attack is not merely a blocked attack

  Directional shield stops a front hit without creating a new threat. Counter stance triggers the boss's own response after a trigger. Attack reflection takes the player's incoming object, reverses its direction and allegiance, and makes the old firing lane dangerous on the return trip.