It seems to me that the solution to increasing the numbers' readability is simply using colours that contrast each other in hue rather than sit adjacent on a ramp.

For example, in the Windows version of Minesweeper on my computer, 1=blue, 2=green, 3=red, 4=indigo, 5=burgundy, 6=blue-green...

In the average game, 1 is the most common, with 2 and 3 making up the majority of the rest of the numbers on the screen. Shouldn't these three numbers have hues that are the farthest distance apart for readability purposes? Rarely seeing a 5 or 6, and almost never a 7 or 8, the "ramp" theme, though in theory unifying, might not be nearly as apparent to players as you'd like. The saturation increase was a step in the right direction, but doesn't remedy the readability problem, because at a glance, 1 and 2 simply need to look quite different.

It's a little awkward to wait for the words to scroll by to read them, since you can only see them clearly when they're on the far left. I would suggest shortening it to "SELECT HERO" or even "HERO SELECT." Another solution entirely would be to raise the arrows to just above the blue region, although this compromises another design element. Anything short of a larger rearrangement seems like a compromise, so maybe this is too nitpicky a detail.

Bon début.

I instantly assumed it was. Looks cute to me. I think it reads adequately well, but would read even better once the lower lip is shaded.

I definitely like 10 the best. The others' heads don't really convey the sharp, slick qualities I'd expect from a dragon. 8 is good too. I think the wings on these two are very good, and are necessary to make it really 'feel' like a dragon.