Which level 1 monster do you like the most in Heroes of Might and Magic V?

Considering all parameters, Assassins are definitely the best. They don't shoot very well, but they poison effectively, look good, and in 3.0, the alternate form completely disappears – which is useful. Peasants are also decent in the early stages of development – you leave them in the city, and gold accumulates. Gremlins are nonsense; in a good battle, their skill is useless because they simply don't have time to act due to tactical considerations, and even if they do, it's already too late – a Golem isn't that much of a powerful unit anyway. Imps are only useful in pairs with an Archdevil.