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[GreatWyrmGold]

What is a tooth axe, and what advantages are there to a spread-out "formation?"

Hmm seems like i failed to chose the right word. Don't know why i thought that was the right term.

I mean this weapon:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

If it makes you feel better, I didn't see those weapons before either.

About formation:
Tight formations drastically drop maneuverability. They are good if you have many soldiers to get a long front and bad if your formation is small and can be easily flanked and ripped apart. With numbers that we have in DF it will be better to fight in groups of 3-5 combatants. This will also allow for better diversity in weapons and tactics.
Formations can be saved for civilians then you absolutely need every dwarf in the military and can make a long enough line.
Also formations are really bad against BIG creatures.

I'd be interested to hear why that last bit is so.

Real-world formations wouldn't work so well in tunnels. Any tactical wizards around to consider what formations would work?

[Zoolimar]

I'd be interested to hear why that last bit is so.

Well for now it is not so important but if multitile creatures will make it into the game going in tight formation against them will not be a good idea. Colossus or giant will be able to crush not one dwarf but a number of them with each attack if they will be close to each other. Like step on them or make attacks in wide arcs using tree trunk.

Dragons with their fire breath and tails too will devastate formations baking dwarfs in significant chunks instead of singling them one by one.

Against something big, scary and powerful you need to spread out using ranged weapons or trying to utilize lesser maneuverability of the giant creature. Giants and other will have trouble getting into tight spaces and even turning will take some time due to their mass.