Posts from Heroes VII
First, the symbol of life.
Secondly, in the fourth game, they looked pretty good there (much better than some obscure dragons).
2) In Ashan, they are blue and look different, anyway.
And regarding the difficulty of creating a beautiful and dangerous bird, while also making it unique... Well, it's possible.
And it's not that difficult to mess up dragons either (ahem, the Dragons in Heroes 4, ahem).
As far as I remember, they aren't particularly associated with Ashan.
In the fourth game, they were giant fiery chickens, one of the most ridiculous incarnations of the phoenix, in my opinion.
In Ashan, they are blue and look different, anyway.
I'm not saying it's impossible, but neither the previous installment nor the concepts for the seventh game could boast particularly interesting creatures. Moreover, a fairly large number of creatures looked quite ridiculous.
By the way, if my memory serves me right, Dungeon was developed by Limbic, so their style should be quite good.
https://mmh7.ubi.com/en/blog/post/view/some-presents-to-celebrate-the-elves-victory
I still think phoenixes for the Elves are a good idea. Firstly, they are a symbol of life. Secondly, in the fourth game, they looked good there (much better than some obscure dragons). And regarding the difficulty of creating a beautiful and dangerous bird, while also making it unique... Well, it can be done. We should expect the best possible implementation in any case, not the worst. Otherwise, dragons can be easily messed up too (ahem, the Dragons in Heroes 4, ahem).
Although I voted for option 3, I still think that the Sylvan faction should specialize more in diversions rather than tanking in direct attacks.
By the way, in Heroes VI, phoenixes were dangerous due to their aura, which prevents healing the dead. That's a pretty good bonus.
In Heroes II and Heroes I, phoenixes were also available to the Elves, so this is like a return to the roots.
I'm not voting for "Balance" only because one of the elite units is a phoenix and, oh my god, a mega phoenix. :D
Of course, if "Strength" and "Wrath" were combined, I think it would create the ideal set of canonical units for the Elven faction of Ashan. (Judging by Heroes V).
Я - рыцарь, Зверей истребитель!
Я - тот, кто не знает, не ведает страх!
Я - Божий Сын, победитель!
"Без жалости! Без сожаления! Без страха!"
By the way, in Heroes of Might and Magic VI, phoenixes were dangerous due to their aura, which prevented healing of killed units. Quite a nice bonus.
https://mmh7.ubi.com/en/blog/post/view/creatures-of-irollan
Translation: http://forum.df2.ru/index.php?showtopic=27652&view=findpost&p=670772
The Dryads are too reminiscent of the light elementals from Haven in the sixth installment; this lack of originality doesn't do them any favors.

:D
The Knights, frankly, are ridiculous. I wonder, since there are two creatures depicted in the artwork, does this mean a return to the old, good tradition of gender change upon upgrade?
Actually, the female version doesn't look bad; it just needs a decent, full suit of armor.
And these breastplate-like armors are getting old; does anyone still think they're effective in battle?
The male version is questionable, yes.