2) Zombies. I always take the first upgrade. The weakening strike provides a small benefit, and the damage is higher. In general, both are quite useless.
4) Vampires. I always take the first ones because nothing can replace retaliation!!!
4) The second one has a very useful ability; it's not great when it doesn't work, but when it does work against a unit that everything depends on (like human paladins, for example), it's ideal. It's a shame that it can be removed with a tent.