I am playing on Normal mode and my party is mostly 24th & 25th level. I rarely get huge encounters with multiple monsters. I usually have to *try* to make them happen by leading and teasing monsters groups into merging before I get close and trigger the encounter. I think there are several things that factor into encounters and your ability to deal with them. Here are just some off the cuff:
- Are you running around with Search on? If you do, you are making more noise to attract monsters, and are more likely to be surprised because your attention is elsewhere. I understand that the Light spell also attracts monsters to a degree.
- Do you camp too much in the wilderness? Every three camps re-spawn the encounters, I believe. Use your spells and other goodies to keep your party in one piece until you can find a place that is safe to rest. Find a place to put your caster's backs to the wall that has limited access from the sides.
- Use X-ray so you are not bumping to three monsters groups that just happen to be crossing paths.
- Is your party overburdened by weight? Watch the encumbrance. It lowers your armor class, takes more stamina, and in extreme cases can diminish your ability to attack and defend properly.
- Use the Chameleon spell so you can get a lot closer to monsters without triggering combat. If you see something you're not prepared for, back off.
- Is your team working as a team or as a bunch of individuals? If you specialize, especially early on, you are more powerful sooner.
There's more, but in general I try not to let the monsters dictate when and where I am attacked.
This post ins't targeted at anyone specifically, but I'm a veteran CRPG player (another 30-something who started with the first Wizardry), and was having a rather hard time with this game until I tried out a few party combinations,
really went through the manual, and tightened my strategy. Good luck!