If you include CR 6, because it's common to encounter things a CR or 2 higher and those creatures with customizable spell lists, because they are druids, clerics, wizards or sorcerers, you get 7 monsters.
A significant number more, but still not tons.
This is very true. That's why I took the spells out of my game rather than just use a lot of dispelling.
How does Leomund's Hut work in Level Up?
Basically, you create shelter for up to 10 that can be used as a haven (allowing long rests). It keeps out weather and spells, but not creatures or objects, and it fails if it contains a Large creature or more than 10 creatures. It also costs 200 gp in components per casting.
"After days of rigorous travel, you finally arrive at the Dungeon of [Those 7 Monsters]!"
It doesn't have to happen every adventure. If it happens just once or twice in a campaign, and the monsters take full advantage when it does, that's enough to drastically change player behavior.
Yeah, they change to resenting you for messing with their means of not having to deal with pointless random encounters and interrupted rests.
"As you pause to take stock in the situation, you hear music faintly emanating from the dungeon. You catch a few words that sound something like, "monster mash."
Another solution is to make all the rooms in the dungeon no larger than 15 ft. x 15 ft. You're welcome, everybody!
That explains all those 10' x 10' rooms in old dungeons!
If I had players who got resentful about something like that, they would be welcome to find themselves a new DM.
