The essence of the tactics when playing as the Dark Elves.

So, it turns out that the starting hero needs to develop Mentorship to help our Kifrah begin her ascent to the position of Malassa's punishing hand.

Why not develop Mentorship? Attraction is useful, Scholar is also good on a large map, and Education works for everyone and always. And a couple of hit-and-run heroes wouldn't hurt, as well as just heroes with non-zero stats for mobility. Mentorship is easiest to develop with Irann, but she's not very good as a starting hero.