I found Saba a bit difficult tactically with their native units vs the heavy phalanxes of AS and PT, but it was an excellent training ground for anti-phalanx tactics. Once I got some Indian units into the levant, using my light-infantry-vs-phalanx tactics, those dirty Greeks just scattered like dust before the might of my. . . sorry, back to topic.

Saba has weak native units, but can build a very strong economy and can draw from some excellent regional units like heavy gallic swordsmen, Indian guild infantry and elephants.

The most difficulty I've had was with Sauromate - poor provinces, expensive starting army and everybody hates you.

I will add that, after playing Saba, Getai was WAAAYYY easy tactically.

p.s. Just about my only universal house rule is I don't disband starting land troops.