"Saxons for Saga Questions" Topic

So I'm looking to get into Saga, and I want to start with two four-point forces to play against each other with my son since I don't know anyone in the area who plays Saga (I mainly play Warmachine/Hordes at the FLGS).

I have the footsore Romano-British warband, and I'm excited to start painting it up.

I'm looking to pair this with a group of Saxons, which could be the Saxons from Aetius and Arthur, or either of the two Saxon factions in Age of Vikings (both books I have).

I also happen to have (from a gift) Aella, Hengist and Horsa, and all the early Saxon cav models (although I think I will leave these out for now getting started).

My questions are these: What are main differences I should look out for between the early saxon and late saxon lines from Footsore? Any advice for the most beginner friendly pairing with the Romano-British warband? Best list composition for four points? Are there other manufacturers I should be looking at? I see they have a "make your own" deal for late Saxons but not for early. What would the historical compromises be playing the late models as early? It seems the main difference is in the facial hair.

I also have the long-term consideration that I might like to expand these forces to be suitable for a Dux Britanniarum. Anyone have advice for future proofing my forces for this purpose? What would be the minimum number/type of models for Dux?

I can only answer a one small part of your questions.

I own a painted Saga Saxon army from the Viking period and also, a painted Saxon army from the later Roman period. And that is because… they don't look at all alike.

The Early Saxon helmets are very distinctive and quite unlike the later chaps.

A Saxon is a Saxon is a Saxon, if you're not too picky about the figures.

Early ordinary, unarmoured, Saxons…and possibly those who stayed at home tend to have smaller shields, some of them oval, both with more prominent shield bosses. there is some evidence that by the time of the Norman Conquest hoods were being worn but possibly only by those too low on the social scale to be involved in war.
The armoured nobility had progressively smoother helmets with less cheek pieces and ornamentation as time went on. They also adopted kite shields in England by the time of the Norman Conquest.