Round table

Well, maxing out the cons on the first level was pretty cool:D

But you're being unfair to the swamp.

For example, a dwarf fortress at level 100, with 46 gnolls, 18 lizards, and 2 dryads at level 114, is easily taken, with losses of 10 gnolls and occasionally 1-2 lizards!!!

Exactly!

1). Upgrading lizards isn't critical for tempo.
2). Lately, if you have a level 2 town and at least 20 lizards, you almost always upgrade them, and it pays off. Hydras are usually placed in the castle without any problems, and what else do you need?
3). If you have more than 15 lizards, and Tazar has ranged attack, then it makes a lot of sense to spend tempo on upgrading and be content with hydras in the citadel (or cows in the castle).
4). Tazar with ranged attack, experience armor, and about 6 defense breaks all medusa lairs except for maxed ones.
5). If you have a reserve of dryads, then with 4 dryads, 20+ archers, and 40+ gnolls (I don't remember if basilisks are needed), and a secondary army, you can break a maxed dwarf fortress on the swamp without a grand stack. I did this once, and usually all the dryads and lizards survive.

6). If Vistan also arrives, then it makes sense to upgrade his ranged attack (and at the same time consider making him the main hero), then medusa lairs also fall, although with losses of most of the gnolls.