D&D 5E Do you change balance for shorter fights?

[UngeheuerLich]

Casters in 5e definitely need a horde of elite mooks between them and the PCs IME.

Partial exception for spellcasting dragon.

Don't have to be elite at all.
Just enough hp to not be cleared all at once. And even then it might be enough to draw just enough fire to mitigate the advantage of surprise.

 

[S'mon]

Don't have to be elite at all.
Just enough hp to not be cleared all at once. And even then it might be enough to draw just enough fire to mitigate the advantage of surprise.

Well, 12 hp mooks die too easily to area-effect spells to be much use IME. I like stuff with around 52 hp like the MM Veteran to guard my CR 21 Lich.