A fortress where every migrant is immediately handed a weapon and has a 10% chance of surviving the first season is way more interesting than a well-run fortress.
If your favorite dwarf isn't sent outside to chop wood or help farm, how is he going to get killed by the very first shot fired by an ambush party and later immortalized valiantly defending the fortress in a masterwork sword?
You don't have to do that.
A fortress where every migrant is immediately handed a weapon and has a 10% chance of surviving the first season is way more interesting than a well-run fortress.
If your favorite dwarf isn't sent outside to chop wood or help farm, how is he going to get killed by the very first shot fired by an ambush party and later immortalized valiantly defending the fortress in a masterwork sword?