Sean, maybe think of it like this: the raytrace bit does the reflections, but the square (or whatever object you've got the reflect plugged into) also adds it's own stuff to the result. So if the square has it's own diffuse and/or ambient, that'll show AS WELL as the reflections, and will also affect the reflection quality. Can be very useful in some circumstances (but infuriating/frustrating in others..) Cheers, Diolma