I apologize if this is in the wrong place, but.... So, in a game I am DMing I have made this boss, and I would like to know how tough he would be CR wise so I know how much xp to give out. There will be a group of 10 level 1's fighting this boss, we have 3 or 4 really beefy paladin/fighter/barb types who can take some good hits/dodge them. As for heals we have 1 devoted healer, 1 spell caster with 1 healing spell, and 2 paladins (part of the beefy group) with lay on hands. The rest are focused on damage damage damage, but are squishy. How difficult do you guys think this will be for them and how much xp should I give for the group taking this boss down. WARDEN
HP- 247 (can be adjusted) AC- 15
ACTIONS
WHIP- 15ft range +5 to hit
Whips a target for 1d6 piercing damage, this also hits every other character Between the target and the warden for 1d4 slashing damage whether the original target is hit or not.
BURNING HANDS- (same as the compendium) 1d4 recharge
REACTIONS
PILLAR OF FIRE OR MAGMA
If the Warden is hit 4 times in one round he spawns a pillar of fire or a pillar of magma randomly, determined by the d2 damage. 1 is fire 2 is magma. Pillars share the same initiative as the warden.
PILLAR OF FIRE
HP- 10
AC- 14
Radiance- A fiery beam connects to the warden, once on the Warden's turn it heals the warden for 1d6 damage. Continues until destroyed, there may be more than one pillar activated at a time.
PILLAR OF MAGMA
HP- 10
AC- 14
Radiance- A Burst of Magma covers the ground around the pillar, once on the Warden's turn all creatures within 10ft make a DC13 dexterity saving throw or take 1d4 + 2 fire damage.