The game certainly allows for a variety of successful strategies; and I won't argue with success. Whatever works for you.

That being said, I chose Auto-Haste over attack and magic power. It's the reason that I choose Setiemson over Chantage for my female units. And that coupled with Math Skills allows my party to wipe out enemies before most of them even get a chance to move. And the survivors rarely make it to melee range.