[RPG] How does Hail of Thorns interact with with magic ammunition or enchantments

ammunitiondnd-5eranged-attackrangerspells

How does Hail of Thorns interact with with magic ammunition or enchantments.
For example with an arrow of slaying, acid arrow, and flame arrow spell?

Would the effects of these enchantments be replicated for all the other targets within Hail of Thorn's target area of effect?

Best Answer

No, it doesn't apply special ammunition effects to the area damage.

Hail of Thorns' description states that in addition to the normal effect of the attack the creature has to make a Dex save, taking 1d10 damage on a failure.

The next time you hit a creature with a ranged weapon attack before the spell ends, this spell creates a rain of thorns that sprouts from your ranged weapon or ammunition. In addition to the normal effect of the attack, the target of the attack and each creature within 5 feet of it must make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 1d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. (emphasis mine)

Arrow of Slaying says that a creature only takes the extra damage if it takes damage from the arrow.

If a creature belonging to the type, race, or group associated with an arrow of slaying takes damage from the arrow, the creature must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking an extra 6d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much extra damage on a successful one. (emphasis mine)

The same applies to the others types of ammo. The extra damage from the Hail of Thorns spell doesn't count as damage from the arrow, but from a separate spell, that activates when the arrow hits; so the arrow's special effects don't apply to that damage.