i also conquer first Sarmiszegethusa (goldmines and sacred mountain), then all the other independent tribes around. Kallatis has got steppe horsearchers(!) and Singidunum gauls (like to use Uirodusios and orcas)
money should be no problem if you conquer illyria and the danube-traderounds. don´t by to much expensive troops, you don´t really need them at the beginning.
my first amys composed with
infantry:Komatai Pelekuphoroi, Drapanai (Melee-Killers!), Thraikioi Doryphoroi (very good levy infantry) and one unit of Uirodusios (fearfactor)
bows: Komatai Agrianai (also good swordreserve and wide range)
cav: horsearcher (if possible) and family members
i try to finish the "uniter of all tracians" setting and later on, more and more high quality units
getai is fun! kick´n successor greeks ass