I've played:

VH/VH fun stuff!!! With this settings there are no house rules, RUSH the AI, I exploit the AI as much as possible, and exploit ground placement to its fullest.
--this is a fun setting if you just wanna go all out and pull all out all kinds of battle tactics.

VH/VH Fatige OFF. Creazy s**. I did this once with KH back in 8.x. I actually managed to make live and expand into AS. Again fun stuff if you wanna go all out!

VH/M BORING! This setting, even with house rules and all.... killed the fun out of EB. I could beat anything and everything and the AI routed super fast, especially since I had Gaesatae in my armies.
--However, if someone uses extreme house rules with historical expansion, or likes to chill and build up cities, then this setting + Force Diplomacy mod is the best.

VH/H Fatige OFF. Awesome balance this works perfect for me. The AI is strong, but not too strong so I can use house rules and take it easy. Also the AI doesn't tire its troops by needless running.