Cluster shot arrows clarification


Rules Questions


So, for the EoG: Cluster Shot arrow, it says that it does its abiity of allowing SA and crits on other arrows, if the first arrow crits. Am I reading this right? It also makes mention of the manyshot feat. Which says in itself that it can't be used for crits (the other arrow), but I guess it can now when using these arrows.

1. Does the cluster shot arrows all get crit for half if the first (or any, then all subsequent) hits? Or is it just those first two, that is caused by manyshot?

2. If it does allow all others to get crit half, is that additional to what hey already do? or does that replace the new dmg?


Clustered Shots wrote:

Benefit: When you use a full-attack action to make multiple ranged weapon attacks against the same opponent, total the damage from all hits before applying that opponent’s damage reduction.

Special: If the massive damage optional rule is being used (Core Rulebook 189), that rule applies if the total damage you deal with this feat is equal to or exceeds half the opponent’s full normal hit points (minimum 50 points of damage).

It says "total the damage" from all attacks.

That means make each attack normally, then add it all up before applying DR.

If SA or critical damage applies to an individual arrow, it looks like that gets added in too.
(keep in mind it's rather difficult to actually get SA on ranged attacks past the opening round of combat)

Specifically to the question on Many Shot.
The Many Shot attack is made noramlly as well, applying SA/crit only once.

Many Shot wrote:
Benefit: When making a full-attack action with a bow, your first attack fires two arrows. If the attack hits, both arrows hit. Apply precision-based damage (such as sneak attack) and critical hit damage only once for this attack. Damage bonuses from using a composite bow with a high Strength bonus apply to each arrow, as do other damage bonuses, such as a ranger's favored enemy bonus. Damage reduction and resistances apply separately to each arrow.

You still get bonuses from a composite bow(if you have the Str score)/magical enhancement/etc to each arrow.

Clustered Shots overrides the last sentence about DR (as it changes how DR is applied).

Shadow Lodge Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 8

@Archaeik- I believe he's talking about the "Clustershot Arrow" from Elves of Golarion, not the feat "Clustered Shots" from Ultimate Combat.

@Grizzly Archer- To answer your questions:
1. Elves of Golarion was written back when Pathfinder was still D&D 3.5, so it may be confusing you as to how Manyshot works.

In 3.5, you could fire up to 4 arrows at once with Manyshot. If all 4 were Clustershot arrows, then yes, if your attack was a critical hit, you would add full critical damage to the first arrow and half critical damage to all three subsequent arrows. However, Manyshot was a Standard Action, meaning you couldn't fire any other arrows but those four.

In Pathfinder, Manyshot only ever adds one arrow, but you make it as part of a normal Full Attack (allowing you to make normal arrow attacks after your Manyshot attack). So you'd deal full critical damage with your first Manyshot arrow, half critical damage with your second Manyshot arrow, and then the rest of your arrow attacks in the round are resolved normally--that is to say you make separate attack rolls for each of them, they each have the possibility to crit or deal Sneak Attack, and if they do they deal their full Critical damage or Sneak Attack damage.

2. Yes, it's in addition to what they normally do. So if your first arrow is dealing 1d8+3 + 3d6 Sneak Attack, your subsequent Clustershot arrows deal 1d8+3 + (3d6/2).

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