Thinking of basing my fort just above the magma sea actually. Concerned about magma men though, can't they just pop up through a magma workshop and murder everyone?
I've done a few test embarks and the first and second cavern level are usually empty of dangerous wildlife in the early seasons of the first year. Makes getting up the first wall pretty easy, although it basically removes at least one dwarf from your labor pool to do it. The ground is already muddy and there is plenty of wood. I think I'll build an underground road system in the soil layers and completely eschew the surface if possible.
Existent's method of magma safe smithing is the same I use.
You are actually doing what I was going to suggest; Blitz down to the magma sea, then build UP. I tend to make a little minifort down just above the magma sea and designate it as my safe room, then spiral ramp my way on up through the earth.
Pros: Dangerous animals, imminent FB threats, magma access
Cons: Siege/Raid's become much easier to handle as they have to travel however many zlvls down to the entrance of your fortress. Actually got to the point where if I wanted my military to fight them I'd have to either forgo a wall of traps or dig out a large battle area in front of the main gates. Which was actually pretty badass before that inorganic FB showed up...
As far as nonstandard fort designs goes, it depends how much inefficiency annoys you. I enjoy mixing up the central staircase design with a central ramp design, with an open shaft down throughout the fortress.
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Topic: Learning a new style of playing (Read 2571 times)