Not sure I can say much, because I'm new and am still getting the fundamentals down, but I like to play as a Manhunter. Tracking, spotting, pathfinding, looting, and prisoner management. Helps me travel fast, and hunt down looters more easily. I don't care to burn villages, because I like playing the good guy. I agree that getting a hero who's more of a fighter than a doctor or general kind of feels like a waste. At least I don't give them high priority.
Unless of course I made myself a combat specialist, because cutting down enemies myself is pretty awesome.
I've been starting in Swadia, and they have a good balanced army, but I'm not particularly attached to them.
For convenience I grouped skills in certain character types. I'll show it, in case that's useful for anyone.
Fighter
Ironflesh - str
Weapon master - agi
Power strike - str
Footsoldiers
Power throw - str
Shield - agi
Athletics - agi
Cavalry
Power draw - str
Riding - agi
Horse Archery - agi
General
Trainer - int
Engineer - int
Leadership - cha
Tactics - int
Doctor
Wound treatment - int
Surgery - int
First aid - int
Manhunter
Tracking - int
Pathfinding - int
Spotting - int
Prisoner management - cha
Looting - agi
Socialite
Trade - cha
Persuasion - int
Inventory management - int