[Gatts]

Actually in strategy games the leaders/generals very rarely fight...
when speaking about HOMM series - only the HOMM IV had heroes actively participating in battlefield, and Homm IV scores very bad in polls of success/ likness.
Games like panzer/fantasy general do not have the main character on battlefield as well, some other games do (like Warlords battlercry series, but the WARLORDS series does not...)

you can still attach yourself to the game by having special race army (I mostly have UNDEAD army only... it gives me much of personification with my own army and style)