I'll probably build Iken next, which (from the mission briefing and what I recall reading) should be a military challenge at Very Hard difficulty. Iken can produce gold, game meat, figs, exportable barley, exportable beer, flax, exportable linen, pottery (from imported clay), and weapons (from imported copper). Iken can import clay, copper, papyrus, chickpeas, wood, granite, pottery, barley, beer, and bricks. Luxury goods are not available at the start of the mission. The requirements are 6000 people, CR 45, PR 40, KR 80, and a large obelisk.
Iken has a complicated map with lots of options, which makes it interesting. Unfortunately, some choices (including better houses vs. more people and better defensive position vs. more money for defense) were painful--thus the thread title.
A while ago, I read that Iken's invasion points vary enough to have a major effect on the play and looked at some examples. Since I remembered some details from back then, I didn't mind examining all Download Ikens and looking for ways to make my Iken unusual. While I couldn't avoid gaining a little "future knowledge", I will not use any of it. My first reply describes what I consider those Ikens' key features and ways that I intend to design and play differently.