An untrained/unarmored Raptor vs Forest spider is what you mentioned ether, caught in web and endless throwing of the raptor around by the head. It generally takes a bit of time to kill the raptor though so a second raptor added to the pack is free to rip the spider apart before the first gets killed.
Now if you just take an untrained steelclad raptor though, it seems they are not too bothered by the webbing and just tear the spider apart unscathed. Two spiders will do an armored raptor damage, but still, two dead spiders. Now, if you combine spider and armored raptors on the same team... oh my, that team can do some damage even without training
Keep in mind that raptors breed fast when given nest boxes of their own. Also, when armoring, one bar converts the entire group you pastured on top of the workshop.
How I could past this? So if they breed fast, and they are cheap to train, for sure are better than Forrest spiders, The spider will only have the advantage of utility, like web cages, and silk farms.
Actually never try both of those options, but, Mep says the mod are going to enter in a stable phase so, I can stop doing test runs and do a serious fortress. I will need all the tips and overpower mechanics I could craft.
My idea is have a whole themed "Arcane Fortress ", a mage tower. with mage militias, and necromancers (lichs), but is the Lichs have a lot of advantages, will like to turn all my important dwarves into Lichs (to give then the immunities).
The meat tanks are going to be beast of various types, that why I need to choose the best or the bests beast or jack-of-all-trades combo.
I wish to get too Elephants but really never saw those in the elves traders, and never shows the option to ask for those for the next year caravan.
If someone knows, we can talk by PMs.