iirc dwarfs don't get a bad thought if they have a point or two in a skill like fighting when joining the militia
i should do an orc embark. i'm terrible at starting a militia
Why assign a militia, when your entire fort can fight? Slap knuckle dusters on every single urist, ork, midget, necro, or what have you, and when an enemy comes rally them to a central point - then send your 100+ militia of bruisers out to fight. it works very well. Try it.
(Not even joking, just avoid any ranged units, and try to 'warm up' on stranglers, beak wolves, etc if they are on). Surprisingly effective. Also gives your doctor an actual use! (I'd advise this only for the more advanced players who seek a challenge, but a fun one none the less).
A fun tip, make a pet shop, and buy elephants. Steelclad said elephants. Now, use the war Kennel to war train them to 15 skills, and assign these, to your military (or as 'guard dogs'). They make brilliant companions as they are VERY freakin' hard to kill, and have a smash (very handy for armored foes), and a pierce (gore) attack. Even 5 of these can be amazing in a fight. They are rather slow to breed (if I recall it's something absurd like 5-10 years for a 'calf' to hit adulthood), but yes.
Another tip, use bladed arrows or projectiles. 'but enemies wear armor, and broadheaded (bladed) arrows are useless on armor!" - sure. Except all siegers have their legs/arms/butts/necks exposed without any protection at all. Slice off a siegers arm, they can't use their shield or weapon. Slice a leg off, they can't run easily, add in most bleed to death rather easily - bladed ammo is EXTREMELY overpowered especially compared to other types. Piercing is basically 'hit their heart or brain' or why even shoot? Blunt ammo similar issue. Same for guns.
Another-another tip, don't bother with legionaries caste. The Demon Born (I believe?) from the EVIL magic altar, impart very similar boons of the legion caste, but also give MAX strength (7500/7500 instantly, most often) as well as raising stat caps of endurance, etc, to crazy heights (which legion varies greatly based on luck). Further, they are able to dual-wield two handed weapons without effort, they cause fear and necrosis? I think? naturally by their presence, dont' feel fear and such factors. They are like... insanely, utterly overpowered and make a legion caste absolutely moot, especially as you can buy or cultivate the evil-logs from the fancy-trade-shop, or from the herbalist crafting shop, meaning you can get this anywhere.
The only true fact for military in MW, is that basically, it's too damn easy once you figure out the mechanics of it. When 3 individuals in steel armor can charge an army of 120+ ranged elves, and not be struck once when the elves are at 15 skills across the board... well. Why add runes, plate armor, poisons, 'candy', volcanic metal, pets, traps, turrets, or such advanced things in? There's simply no need for it.
(yes, I know this is a month old - but thought I'd toss in some things people might not know, meh
).