Soul Reflect

The Soul Reflect (ソウルリフレクト, Souru Rifurekuto^?) is one of Rose's special attacks, introduced along with her in the Street Fighter Alpha series. It is also the first V-Skill of Menat in Street Fighter V.

Input

Rose	Street Fighter IV	+
	Street Fighter V	+ (During guard)

Input

Menat	Soul Reflect: Kamal	+
	Soul Reflect: Stella	++

Description

Rose

Soul Reflect used by Rose

Executed by performing a quarter-circle backward motion and pressing punch, Rose swings her scarf at a certain angle.

The move's function is determined by the punch button pressed: the light punch version works for absorbing projectiles, while the other versions work for reflecting them. Light punch version absorbs energy-based projectiles and gives the Super Combo Gauge a decent boost, while also powering up her next Soul Power projectile attack based on the amount of projectiles absorbed. It may also be used to counter low attacks, such as Dhalsim's slide, if the timing is correct; medium punch version can reflect projectiles back in a straight line at the opponent; it also works as a shield against some attacks; and heavy punch version deflects them skyward a 45-degree angle; this works for foes who are jumping towards Rose, and is passable as an anti-air attack with the right timing.

The EX Special version introduced in the Street Fighter IV series is the only version that can reflect other EX Special projectiles. The move uses the upwards deflect animation from the heavy punch version rather than the straight deflect animation from the medium punch version, which may cause players to misjudge the timing of the EX Soul Reflect against some projectiles. This version is often used in the corner to be able to follow up with Soul Throw, this is still doable anywhere else on the screen but Rose needs to use 2 meter to CADC and dash forward to get the same follow-up.

In Street Fighter V, the input is for this move is pressing forward and all three punches after blocking an attack.

Menat

Menat has two variations of Soul Reflect: Soul Reflect: Kamal and Soul Reflect: Stella.

• Kamal: Executed by pressing Medium Punch and Medium Kick simultaneously, Menat spins and waves her arms around. By doing so, she creates a temporary barrier of Soul Power in front of her. If Menat is holding her crystal ball, she creates a larger shield that reflects her opponent's projectile back at them. If the crystal ball is deployed, she creates a smaller barrier that absorb the projectile.

• Stella: Executed by pressing down, plus Medium Punch and Medium Kick simultaneously, Menat waves her arms upward to create a temporary barrier of Soul Power that is angled diagonally and if an opponent touches the barrier, they are launched upward. Similar to Soul Reflect Kamal, the barrier reflects the opponent's projectile if Menat is holding her crystal ball. If the orb is deployed, then the barrier absorbs the projectile.

Tactics

Its main use is to reflect and/or absorb projectiles, though it also works as a physical strike. Soul Reflect can be used to end combos and and create separation, allowing the user to zone out their opponent. In Street Fighter V, this move serves as Rose's V-Reversal. If her opponent is constantly pressuring her from close range, she can sacrifice one bar of V-Meter to knock back the opponent on hit. Performing her V-Reversal also reduces her stun gauge. While Rose may be invincible to attacks and projectiles, she can still be thrown. With very limited defensive tools, Rose's V-Reversal is best to create space and reset the neutral game.

In Street Fighter V, Menat has two versions of this move. Both the standing and crouching version results in a knockdown and can be cancelled into her V-Trigger or Critical Art. Using Soul Reflect while holding the crystal ball allows Menat to reflect the projectile back at her opponent. However, she does not gain V-Meter by reflecting projectiles. If Menat uses this move without the orb, she absorbs the projectile and builds V-Meter. In addition, this move cannot reflect/absorb EX projectiles or Critical Arts, but it can reflect multi-hit regular fireballs.

Soul Reflect: Kamal is one of Menat's best options against other zoning characters. By reflecting fireballs back at her opponent, it keeps them at a distance. While it inflicts the same amount of damage and stun as the crouching version, the standing version has a faster startup and better range.

Soul Reflect: Stella can be used as an anti-air attack. On hit, it puts her opponent in a juggle state, which she can follow-up with Guardian of the Sun. The crouching version has less range and a longer startup, compared to the standing version. However, it is safer on block and has more combo potential when paired with her V-Trigger.

Gallery

Using the medium punch version to reflect Ryu's Hadoken horizontally back at him in Street Fighter IV.

Another screenshot from the same game, this time using the heavy punch version to reflect the Hadoken diagonally upwards.

HP Soul Spark FADC properties in action

LP Reflect

MP reflect

HP Reflect

EX Reflect

Soul Reflect: Kamal (Reflect)

Soul Reflect: Kamal (Absorb)

Soul Reflect: Stella (Reflect)

Soul Reflect: Stella (Absorb)

Sprite