It is possible to have an enjoyable game with 'Markers'
for the Indians. If you make the markers the size the
bases should be for the figures, then it is possible to
add figures gradually, or if you are doing it as a group
project, every one takes a few bases & 'fills' them
with figures. Job done.
That is what we did when a club member introduced us
to DBA. Thick card bases with what they were (Blades,
spears etc.) written on. Then when adding figures just
turn the card over. That way you have the unit I.D. under
the bases for future.
It is also a good way of spotting possible problems.
When I first encountered Pony Wars the bloke organising
it sorted out an enormous supply of (individual) metal bases.
At the first game the following happened.
Indian war-party arrives on nearby hill. "Put on the 50 figures"
One, two, three. four, etc etc. Next move = They disappear...
"Take those 50 figures off" One, two, three etc. etc.
I now multi-base, & taking a leaf out of Peter Guilder's book,
if each base counts as ten figures, then put 7 on one & a rock,
8 & a bush on the next & so on.