If you'd like a good indy expansion not based on the Tuatha you can use the standard Man approach.

It might be something you use in tandem with your Tuatha ideas.

1 Sacrificial Lamb Axeman, Tower Guard, etc. Place just 1 and have him hold and attack. He will only be hit by minimum missle fire, more often than not this little guy survives.

20-40 Longbows middle front, about 2 spaces away from your initial lamb. They will mow and rout things before they get to them, even HI and HC. And even if they do get close, they become even more deadly.

Keep extra Axemen, Towerguard at the very back on Hold and attack with your commander. They are just extra in case your Lamb gets killed.

You can make one of these armies every 3 turns and they can take out most indies, no problem and your quick expansion doesn't have to use any precious Tuatha that will get mowed down by your Longbowmen.

Just an Idea.