I take it you crafted a personal wisp light? If not do that it helps a little. What helps a lot is listening. You can hear the NPCs long before you can see them. Well very occasionally I have been surprised by a Seeker I didn't hear but that's the exception rather than the rule.

Listen
Wisp Light
Good food (2xhealth 1x Stamina my go to before magic)
Listen
Root chest piece fully upgraded (a must have imho)
AoE weapon (iron sledge or atgeir)
Listen
Frost Arrows (they seem to come into their own in ML)

And finally Listen Listen and keep Listening.