It's been a while since I read Warrior Cats, but Lionheart would do a bit of both, he would fight, no matter the cost, but he would also look out for his leader. Is this before or after Omen of the Stars, though? Since that effects his overall strength.
They wanted to get the harder person first. They did the hard thing first and finished with the easiest. also they probably didn't want to get caught by the sniper if they shot the woman first.
