Melee Damage and Str Penalties

[BlueBlackRed]

In a strictly by the book, you do multiply the penalty.

But it certainly doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Infiniti2000]

I don't see how that's the "correct" interpretation. The PHB says you roll the damage multiple times and total the result. Multiplying the dice (and penalties) and then rolling them all together would be rolling damage only one time.

Yes, you multiply all the dice and add all the bonuses and penalties for the one hit. Total it all up. Only then do you use the minimum damage rule. The minimum damage rule is per hit, not per roll.