Take rage instead leadership first levels... I do not take leadership till level 15 (but it may be 10 or 20... depends how much you need huge armies, or if you can deliver good damage by combination of units)
but after level 15 take leadership every possible level
After rage it would be ATT.
so level below 15:
Att, Rage... if no other such option, then DEF
level 15 and above:
Leadership, Rage, Att (not you should be always be able to take something useful, only if realy unlucky, the options are : Mana / INT ... BAD!)
Do not avoid magic units, they can replace your own magic skills (shield from archmage, ressurection from inquisitor) but do not hesitate to kick em out and replace them with real WARRIOR units : real tanks like giants, demons, ancient bears, knights...
Do use your second "shield" slot for weapons... more damage = more rage, better counterattacks... skrew defense
Should you not like TANK tactics, go for shooters, obtain and learn dragon arrows, use shooting improving artefacts, and get all shooters that deliver deadly damage... precision also works fine + dragon arrow, you will be the hear piercer on the battlefield