History Main / ReflectingLaser

->''"Light Amplification By Stimulated Emission of Radiation (and it ricochets off hills, too!)"''

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* Intentionally invoked in ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars'', albeit with a laser built for communication, not as a weapon: long-range communication was rendered impossible due to energon interference, so [[spoiler: bouncing a laser off the moon was the only way to signal a downed stasis pod and activate its DNA scanners]].

* In ''Anime/WolfsRain'', blasts from the Nobles' ships go ''beyond'' {{Roboteching}} -- they change directions in midflight, as if reflecting off invisible walls in the air. [[RuleOfCool It looks cool]] (and nicely conveys the idea of weapons so advanced as to defy easy comprehension), so [[BellisariosMaxim we try to let it be]].

* The Shinkiro in ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is probably the most ridiculous example, possessing a main canon that ''fires'' a prism, then '' '''[[ImprobableAimingSkills SHOOTS THE IN-FLIGHT PRISM WITH ITS BEAM]]''' '' to create perhaps ''the'' most [[RuleOfCool over-]][[RefugeInAudacity the-]][[ImpossiblyCoolWeapon top]] remote BeamSpam device ''ever''! Making it perfect as the LargeHam Lelouch's personal mecha.
* In ''Manga/ZatchBell'', a minor villain early on in the series, Robnos, uses lasers as his main attack; Gash and Kiyomaro fight him in a warehouse filled with glass, and the lasers reflect all over the place. The lasers are quicker than the normally are for this trope, and are a continuous beam, but [[AwesomenessByAnalysis Kiyomaro figures out a position where it is not possible to be hit by them]].

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]

* ''WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIIATwistInTime'': When trying to demonstrate the Fairy Godmother's magic wand to her mother, Anastasia turns an ax-head into glass. A minute later, when fighting with its owner, Anastasia accidentally casts a beam of magic that bounces off the glass and onto the Fairy Godmother, turning her into [[TakenForGranite a stone statue]].

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]

* ''Film/RobotJox''. In the GladiatorGames between two HumongousMecha, one deflects a laser fired by the other with a mirror attached to his robot's arm.
* In ''Film/SlaveGirlsFromBeyondInfinity'', Tisa is able to snatch a breastplate and use it to reflect a laser beam back at the robot that fired it; destroying the robot.
* In the 1979 Disney comedy ''Film/ASpacemanInKingArthursCourt'', Sir Mordred steals the laser gun of NASA astronaut Tom Trimble and goes to kill him with it, but Tom has anticipated this and got King Arthur to lend him his [[KnightInShiningArmor shining armor]], which causes the beam to just bounce off.

* There's a weapon in the Literature/ArtemisFowl series that does this known as a softnose laser, a weapon ostensibly designed as a mining tool, the beam it emits is magically slowed down (and considering the setting this isn't as far-fetched as it seems} so it can destroy matter. It's described as firing a shot that "[[LogicBomb bounces around until it hits something]]."

* ''Series/{{Quark}}''. Quark is given a rock-crystal necklace that he's told will make him invincible. He doesn't quite believe it until a guard fires a DisintegratorRay at him, only to be killed when the beam reflects off the crystal and disintegrates the guard. Unfortunately this gives Quark false confidence because the crystal really doesn't have any special powers; it was just an example of this trope.
* ''Series/BlakesSeven''. In "Dawn of the Gods", the Liberator [[NoOneCouldSurviveThat somehow survives]] after falling into a black hole. They try to blast their way out only to suffer AttackBackfire. At first they assume this is due to their spaceship being in an EldritchLocation, but it turns out the shiny walls are just reflecting back the neutron blast.
* The Beaksmasher guns in ''Series/ChoujinSentaiJetman'' fire these types of beams -- they can even ''change direction in mid-air''. The Jetmen can then combine them witht heir Bird Blasters to form the [[HandCannon Smashbombers]], which fire [[FinishingMove a big rolling ball of energy]].

* In ''{{U|pdatedReRelease}}ltimate VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom [[VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3 3]]'', [[Franchise/StreetFighter Ryu's]] [[KamehameHadouken Shinku Hadouken]] is amiable and now reflects off of the side of the stage. Even when there's [[FridgeLogic nothing there to reflect it.]]
* The ''VideoGame/RType'' series had this as perhaps its most memorable projectile, besides the [[WaveMotionGun huge laser you could charge up]].
* The ''VideoGame/{{Kirby}}'' series has the recurring Laser [[PowerCopying power]], which bounces off any 45-degree angle slope. ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'' also has the Halberd's Reactor Core boss, which shoots a reflecting laser at you (naturally, you have to [[TacticalSuicideBoss make the core shoot itself with its own laser]]).
** [[AnIcePerson Francisca]] from ''VideoGame/KirbyStarAllies'' manages to perform this trope with a ''[[ImprobableWeaponUser shaken-up bottle of soda]]''.

* ''VideoGame/BangaiO'', [[UsefulNotes/SegaDreamcast Dreamcast]] version. In the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 version and the UsefulNotes/{{DS}} sequel, they are Reflect Missiles that reflect in the direction of nearby enemies when they hit surfaces.
* Used with increasingly infuriating frequency by the enemies in ''VideoGame/SpaceInvaders Extreme''.
* The Gemini Laser in ''VideoGame/MegaMan3''. And as a ContinuityNod in ''VideoGame/MegaMan10''.
** Ashe's Laser Shot in ''VideoGame/MegaManZX Advent''.
** The Reflect Laser in ''VideoGame/MegaManZero3'', natch, which itself was a noticeable upgrade Copy-X Mk. II got for his resurrection.
** And to a lesser extent, the Ray Arrow in ''VideoGame/MegaManX6'', although it always rebounds at a 90 degree angle.

* Used in the original ''VideoGame/StriderArcade'' game.

* A major part of most puzzles in ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile2Silmeria'', the path the beam takes is even displayed on the minimap since it'll be likely to be offscreen most of the time. It was also used to some extent in the original game, but most of its puzzles were more about proper positioning of the crystals the beams created.
* ''VideoGame/{{Xenogears}}'' has one in the form of the Fort Jasper Cannon, though it's only fired in a cutscene; the effect it has on the eventual target is quite dramatic.
* The Tau Cannon in ''VideoGame/HalfLife1'' will reflect off walls if the angle is shallow enough. Otherwise it just goes through. Note however that it is a particle weapon, not an actual laser.
* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'':
** While the ricochet shot used by a certain enemy in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaPortraitOfRuin'' is an ordinary (if exceptionally bouncy) bullet, the laser sight she uses prior to shooting fits this trope.
** The Crystal subweapon in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight'', which is a more direct example.
** In between is ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaDawnOfSorrow'', with Paranoia, the boss that hides in mirrors and fires these around the very small room.

* One of the Gun skills you learn in ''VideoGame/Disgaea2CursedMemories'' is one where the character releases several orbs of light, then fires lasers from their gun in several directions. The orbs then reflect them to strike the target at several angles.
* ''VideoGame/{{Fishgun}}'' grants you an upgrade for the laser that allows your shots to bounce and reflect until hitting an enemy. Which you can combine with other weapons, like the SpreadShot, to spam whole waves of attacks all over the area. As an added advantage, the reflected shots doesn't damage you.

* In the ''X-men'' fighting games by Capcom, Cyclops has a super move where he bounces his eye beams on the floor or walls.
* Similarly, Cyclops's optic blast will ricochet off walls, floors, and ceilings if the button is held down for a second in the first ''X-Men'' game for the Sega Genesis. As Cyclops can't move while doing so, the utility of this is somewhat limited.
* In the ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBros'' games, some characters have Special Moves that can reflect projectiles, but this is mostly just a 180, not angling. However with precise aim and timing, it's possible to "bounce" projectiles off your shield and redirect them. In addition, Super Scope shots will angle off of hills slightly.
* In ''VideoGame/TheDungeonOfDoom'', walls reflect or absorb energy blasts at random. Shots that miss their target and bounce straight back might hit the target, the shooter, or neither.
* VideoGame/VirtualOn brings you Bal-Bados' aptly named Reflect Laser, in which Bal's laser reflects off its own beam shields. It is quite erratic in shooting and [[AwesomeButImpractical difficult to use]], but in the hand of skilled Bal players it can be quite a GameBreaker.

* The [[CallingYourAttacks LASER!]] Wisp from ''VideoGame/SonicColors'' does this.
* The final boss of [=T260G's=] chapter in ''VideoGame/SagaFrontier'' does this with its ultimate attack, Carnage, which fires several lasers that bounce off the monitors in the background several times before blasting the player's entire team.
* In the second ''VideoGame/DarkParables'' game, this trope is applied to unlock a secret in the palace armory - by reflecting the laser off of a crystal ball, mirrors, and polished shields.
* In the PC-DOS game ''[[VideoGame/{{Dgeneration}} D/Generation]]'', the laser weapon you pick up early in the game bounces off of walls and even triggers wall switches. Luckily your character will harmlessly soak up any shots that happen to bounce back and hit him.
* The manual for ''Frontier: VideoGame/{{Elite}} II'' mentions this as being a [[DownplayedTrope possible, but quite rare]] result of firing lasers at an enemy ship, especially at a glancing angle. This may or may not have been true in-game.
* In ''Crazy Planets'', a Facebook game by Playfish, the Rebound Ray ''gets stronger'' the more times it bounces off surfaces before hitting a target. Since every level is on a circular planetoid, and not every level features narrow caverns or platforms hanging overhead, this weapon is seldom worth lugging around.
* In the ''VideoGame/BloonsTowerDefense'' games, a lead bloon cannot be popped by weak lasers, but no beam is ever seen reflecting off of its lead surface. (There ''are'' richocheting projectiles, but lasers aren't among them.)
* ''VideoGame/BionicCommando [[ReMake Rearmed]]'' has the Vector Cannon, a laser rifle that fires beams of energy various angles and which will reflect off ceilings and floors to hit targets. It also has a fairly decent rate of fire, so filling a corridor with bouncing laser blasts is a good way to clear it out if you can afford the time to compensate for its so-so damage.
* The [[EvilInc CabalCo]] Death Ray in ''VideoGame/{{Blood}} II'', despite [[DeathRay the name]], fires very powerful green {{hitscan}} laser beams that ricochet off surfaces. The less distance the beams have to travel before hitting a solid surface, the more often they'll ricochet.
* Inverted in the game "Laser", where the rays are blocked by almost any obstacle, including other laser rays. To reflect a beam, you must explicitely insert a mirror stone, and the puzzle maker may be sadistic and give you only a limited amount of them.
* Creator/{{Irem}}'s ''X-Multiply'' has four lasers ricocheting around the Stage 3 BossRoom.
* The Beam Rifle in ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' is capable of doing this; in fact, it's possible to (accidentally) kill multiple enemies with a single shot.
* While not actually a laser, the Lightning Bolt spell in Infinity Engine titles ''VideoGame/BaldursGate'', ''VideoGame/BaldursGate2'', and ''VideoGame/IcewindDale'' functions like this. Which typically means that it will hit an enemy, bounce off a wall, [[HoistByHisOwnPetard then return and hit your party a few times]].
* ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquer'':
** This is an ability of the Prism Tank in ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert2'', to make up for them being unable to combine their beams into one super-powered beam like the defensive Prism Towers can. The effect becomes more pronounced as the tank gains veterancy, reaching the point that at elite status [[RecursiveAmmo even the reflected beams reflect further]]; it can be rather satisfying to have two or three elite Prism Tanks open fire on a harvester in the middle of an enemy base and watch them level half of that base in three seconds, ''on accident''.
** The superweapon of the United States of America in ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerGenerals'' works on this principle. The Particle Cannon on the ground charges up, then sends its beam into space where a system of orbital satellites reflect it back to where you want. It lasts 15 seconds and is very precise, more like a knife than the hammer of the other two superweapons used by China and the GLA. Precise enough, in fact, [[MundaneUtility you can use it to write words.]]

* The Exotic Linear Fusion Rifle "Sleeper Simulant" from ''VideoGame/{{Destiny}}'' reflects multiple times after hitting any hard surface. Its ''Destiny 2'' iteration instead reflects into multiple beams upon doing the same.

In reality, mirrors are rather poor defense against lasers. No mirror is ever perfect, and even if mirror optimized as much as possible against the wavelenght of the laser (which is not exactly granted for sure, especially if laser could switch frequency), it would still absorb some portion of beam energy. Any possible imperfection or dust on the mirror would increase the absorbtion drastically. And as mirror heat with absorbed enery, its reflection capability would quickly went down - essentially turning it into very inefficient armor.

* In the 1979 Disney comedy ''A Spaceman in King Arthur's Court'', Sir Mordred steals the laser gun of NASA astronaut Tom Trimble and goes to kill him with it, but Tom has anticipated this and got King Arthur to lend him his [[KnightInShiningArmor shining armor]], which causes the beam to just bounce off.

* The Cabalco Death Ray in ''VideoGame/{{Blood}} II'', despite [[DeathRay the name]], fires very powerful green {{hitscan}} laser beams that ricochet off surfaces.
* Inverted in the game "Laser" (duh - your goal is to hit all targets with a laser) where the rays are blocked by almost any obstacle - even including other rays. To reflect a beam, you must explicitely insert a mirror stone (and the puzzle maker might have granted you a limited amount only).

* ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} of the ''Comicbook/XMen''. While his beam is an "optic blast of concussive force" and not a laser, it still bounces pretty well. He has a super-human spatial awareness that helps him pull this off (as well as making him a great pilot [[MundaneUtility and pool player]]).

* In ''{{U|pdatedReRelease}}ltimate VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom [[VideoGame/MarvelVsCapcom3 3]]'', [[StreetFighter Ryu's]] [[KamehameHadouken Shinku Hadouken]] is amiable and now reflects off of the side of the stage. Even when there's [[FridgeLogic nothing there to reflect it.]]

* Similarly, Cyclops's optic blast will ricochet off walls, floors, and ceilings if the button is held down for a second in the first X-Men game for the Sega Genesis. As Cyclops can't move while doing so, the utility of this is somewhat limited.

* In the second Videogame/DarkParables game, this trope is applied to unlock a secret in the palace armory - by reflecting the laser off of a crystal ball, mirrors, and polished shields.

** ''GGG'' has one of these on Volfogg's spaceship Susanoh. It fires one gigantic beam (the "Reflector Beam") from the top of the ship and uses a remote-controlled mirror array ("FF Mirrors", standing for Free Float) to aim it.
* Something similar to this trope shows up in the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' series, wherein beams (not lasers, as Beam weapons are accelerated particle cannons operating under a specific subset of physics) are fired at a remote I-Field projector and reflected towards their intended target.
** There must have been some problems with the practicality (or morality, or legality) of this, as it's mostly only the [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Psyco Gundam]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Mk. II]] that does this in the TV series. There, the Mk. II fires off Reflector Bits (self-contained wireless devices controlled through passively-received [[PsychicPowers brain waves]] and capable of 3-dimensional movement) and fires its own mounted beam cannons at them.
*** More likely the proliferation of [[AttackDrone Funnels]]. Why send a reflector over to hit you from a different angle if I can just send the gun to shoot you directly?

* ComicBook/{{Cyclops}} of the ''Comicbook/XMen'' is pretty much the Most Triumphant Example. While his beam is an "optic blast of concussive force" and not a laser, it still bounces pretty well. He has a super-human spatial awareness that helps him pull this off (as well as making him a great pilot [[MundaneUtility and pool player]]).

* While the ricochet shot used by a certain enemy in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaPortraitOfRuin'' is an ordinary (if exceptionally bouncy) bullet, the laser sight she uses prior to shooting fits this trope.
** But that's preceded by the Crystal subweapon in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaSymphonyOfTheNight,'' which is a more direct example.

* Sometimes, blaster shots (lasers) will reflect off of AT-AT's, AT-AA's, and AT-ST's in ''VideoGame/EmpireAtWar'', and off of the three phases of Dark Trooper in the expansion. The special ability of Endor increases the chance of that happening to 20%.
** Wookie Bowcasters in various ''Franchise/StarWars'' video games do this. Supposedly because they're solid projectiles somehow "wrapped" in laser bolts.... But bear in mind that the technology referred to as "lasers" in ''Star Wars'' are actually plasma beam weapons. Since weapons referred to as lasers are pretty much just more powerful versions of blasters, it's generally presumed by fans that a laser cannon in the ''Star Wars'' universe is actually just a large blaster than incorporates an internal laser in its firing sequence.

** This is a subversion, as lasers in Sword of the Stars never reflect off of a surface that is just flat, but reflect off of flat and non-flat surfaces that have the reflective coating. Angle also seems to matter.

** ROB's Robo Beam will actually angle off mostly-horizontal surfaces, and you can control the angle it's fired at to an extent.

** In general, the Tower Defense genre rarely averts the HomingBoulders problem (with lots of targets and projectiles and nothing trying to avoid the latter it's not always considered worth the effort) so laser reflection will usually be of the programmatic "chain hit" style rather than a physically accurate reflection.

* The Shinkiro in ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is probably the most [[UpToEleven ridiculous]] example, possessing a main canon that ''fires'' a prism, then '' '''[[ImprobableAimingSkills SHOOTS THE IN-FLIGHT PRISM WITH ITS BEAM]]''' '' to create perhaps ''the'' most [[RuleOfCool over-]][[RefugeInAudacity the-]][[ImpossiblyCoolWeapon top]] remote BeamSpam device ''ever''! Making it perfect as the LargeHam Lelouch's personal mecha.

** Wookie Bowcasters in various ''StarWars'' video games do this. Supposedly because they're solid projectiles somehow "wrapped" in laser bolts.... But bear in mind that the technology referred to as "lasers" in ''Star Wars'' are actually plasma beam weapons. Since weapons referred to as lasers are pretty much just more powerful versions of blasters, it's generally presumed by fans that a laser cannon in the ''Star Wars'' universe is actually just a large blaster than incorporates an internal laser in its firing sequence.

In video games, they will also be the [[FrickinLaserBeams "slow" variety of laser]], so that the player can watch them bounce off each surface in turn, and dodge them just as they rebound toward him. If the player has access to the weapon, expect several {{Trick Shot Puzzle}}s whereby the player has to bounce a single shot off a series of surfaces to hit a distant switch or enemy.

* The climactic boat chase scene in Disney's live-action ''Film/{{Condorman}}'' features a speedboat armed with a turret-mounted [[FrickinLaserBeams laser cannon]]. Naturally, several shots are seen reflecting off the (choppy) water.

** The Reflect Laser in ''VideoGame/MegaManZero3'', natch.

* The Beaksmasher guns in ''Series/ChojinSentaiJetman'' fire these types of beams -- they can even ''change direction in mid-air''. The Jetmen can then combine them witht heir Bird Blasters to form the [[HandCannon Smashbombers]], which fire [[FinishingMove a big rolling ball of energy]].

* Used in the original ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}'' game.

* ''Disney/CinderellaIIIATwistInTime'': When trying to demonstrate the Fairy Godmother's magic wand to her mother, Anastasia turns an ax-head into glass. A minute later, when fighting with its owner, Anastasia accidentally casts a beam of magic that bounces off the glass and onto the Fairy Godmother, turning her into [[TakenForGranite a stone statue]].

* The Exotic Linear Fusion Rifle "Sleeper Simulant" from ''VideoGame/Destiny'' reflects multiple times after hitting any hard surface. Its ''Destiny 2'' iteration instead reflects into multiple beams upon doing the same.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles'': In the "Jack-Jack Attack!" short, BadlyBatteredBabysitter Kari is shown casually deflecting Jack-Jack's EyeBeams using a handmirror at the end of a ''very'' long night.

* The First Doctor and Susan defeat a Dalek in "The Five Doctors" by pushing it into an enclosed alley and letting it fire away!

* Something similar to this trope shows up in the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' series, wherein beams (not lasers, as Beam weapons are accelerated particle cannons operating under a specific subset of physics) are fired at a remote I-Field projector and reflected towards their intended target. There must have been some problems with the practicality (or morality, or legality) of this, as it's mostly only the [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Psyco Gundam]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Mk. II]] that does this in the TV series. There, the Mk. II fires off Reflector Bits (self-contained wireless devices controlled through passively-received [[PsychicPowers brain waves]] and capable of 3-dimensional movement) and fires its own mounted beam cannons at them.

[[folder:Comic Bookss]]

!!Examples

[[folder:Comics]]

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]

[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]

* In ''Film/ANewHope'', Han fires a blaster shot at the door of the trash compactor to try and ShootOutTheLock. The shot goes ricocheting crazily around the trash compactor. Handwaved by the door being "magnetically sealed," [[FridgeBrilliance coupled with the fact]] that blasters are not lasers but plasma casters and use magnetic fields to accelerate the shot. How it kept going after it hit the wall the first time is another question entirely.

[[folder:LiveActionTV]]

[[folder:WesternAnimation]]