Which would you choose?

[McSwan]

hmm,

I focused on getting the +leadership items as the longer you can put off choosing leadership on level up, the better.

[Vilk]

With a mage starting with a very low leadership that will be rude to do that in impossible mode until you can buy the items bringing large leadership. But that's perhaps possible anyway.

[Metathron]

So how much does the game punish you on impossible if you skip leadership up to, say, level 10-15?

[DGDobrev]

A lot

That's why I always take leadership from lvl 2 upwards, unless I play normal I remember how it was with the paladin, I can imagine how will it be with a mage.

[Metathron]

I figured as much.

I took the puny +80 leadership at level 2, but it wasn't too difficult because next to it I was offered +4 rage.

However, I have skipped leadership at level 4, and took +6 mana instead because mana is precious.

[DGDobrev]

Well, if you decide to play with powerspells, mana and intellect will be vital In that case, it is prudent to omit leadership for a while... Still, that leaves you quite weak in the beginning, so it won't be easy. But I guess it's worth it

[McSwan]

Well, if you avoid every battle at the start and grab all the free gold and leadership and mage does just fine without leadership upgrade for a long time with +800 leadership banner. Then go hard on leadership from about level 12 to 30.