Addressed here as a side conversation, but not resolved in-thread or in FAQ, what happens when one arrow (for sake of the question; any ammo will do, though) bypasses DR but another does not?
So, shooting at a Rakshasa...2 hits! Yay! First arrow 1d8+5 (and good, too!) for 10 (bypasses) and the other with a plain ol' arrow for 1d8+5 for 11...
Did I just hit that tiger-headed baddy for 21? Or did I hit it for 11 (which would be the same as if I didn't have the feat)?
I think you only hit for 11. I know clustered shot complicates things bit here is my reasoning (if anyone knows better, by all means correct me):
Despite clustered shots, you have to treat the attacks as separate types of damage, which apply separately to the DR. For example: evil wizard casts ice storm on me. I have cold resistance 10. So he must roll 2d6 for the cold damage, and I subtract 10, then 3d6 for the bludgeoning which all gets through.
Again, clustered shots complicates your question, and I can easily see the counter argument. It just seems in this kind of case, the damage must be counted separately.
Dawsjax, I'm inclined to agree with you but for a different reason: Clustered Shots is *intended to allow ammo that doesn't bypass DR to do better as a full attack than it would otherwise. Using an arrow to pierce DR and then allowing all subsequent (non-bypassing) ammo to go right through, as well, just seems to be abuse of rules.
That said, I could see, as an example, an adamantite arrow opening a hole in the armor of somebody with DR5/adamantite and then the arrows behind it all hitting the same damaged area (a cluster) without being caught up in the impenetrable armor.
I can't see, though, the same thing with magical resistances (like the Rakshasa above).
*as best I can tell...
Gotcha. I agree with your call for adamantine as well. This may just be the kind of situation a DM has to rule on a case by case basis, but I would let players know that it may change depending on the situation, and not to expect a precedent to be set. Or you could be a mean DM, let them have what is most beneficial, then use it against them later...*evil laugh*
Total up all the damage you've done EXCLUDING those damage rolls that bypass the DR in question.
Then apply the DR against the sum of the above damage.
Now apply the full damage from the attack(s) that bypassed DR.
Easy.
OK, so 11 in the case above but with one more hit with a mundane arrow, the extra damage goes through (so to speak). I can get behind that. Thanks, guys.