I was discussing this with one of my players. Is a lightsaber pike too heavy or unwieldy to reliably use the reflect talent?

What exactly is the reflect talent when one gets down to it?

Can I use a non-lightsaber weapon with the reflect talent, (say, a cortosis sword) and if so, what are the repercussions?

Any insight would be much appreciated.

Any of the lightsaber weapons (regular, shoto, pike, guard shoto, other, etc.) are usable, but weapons classed as melee (ancient sword, training stick) cannot even if they use the Lightsaber skill.

What exactly is the reflect talent when one gets down to it?

At it's base, Reflect involves using the energy blade of a lightsaber to reduce the damage of incoming ranged attacks in exchange for taking some Strain. That's it. Nothing more. Remember that each attack actually represents several shots/swings so that's how it can make sense that you Reflect yet still take some damage. Note that Reflect (Improved) is required to redirect blaster (and some other) attacks back at attackers.

What exactly is the reflect talent when one gets down to it?

At it's base, Reflect involves using the energy blade of a lightsaber to reduce the damage of incoming ranged attacks in exchange for taking some Strain. That's it. Nothing more. Remember that each attack actually represents several shots/swings so that's how it can make sense that you Reflect yet still take some damage. Note that Reflect (Improved) is required to redirect blaster (and some other) attacks back at attackers.

Thank you. It makes sense now because you could not do this repeatedly with a non-lightsaber weapon. My group migrated to SWRPG from pathfinder, where there are 6 second rounds, so it has been a rough adjustment.

Only the Shield Gauntlet in Keeping the Peace has been introduced that can be used with the Reflect talent. It is the only item beyond lightsabers that can at this time.