Assuming that they keep a lot of the previous Phoenix Clan dynamics, it would seem to me that the Shiba would be the most able family to fill both the military and political aspirations of the Clan. The Asako family's on internal lore made their place as the clan's "face" was a bit at odds with their ultra secretive super monk focus. In addition the old lore had the Isawa just this side of hostile towards the Asako (due to jealousy of Shinsei's favor). That makes it seem unlikely to me that they Isawa would want to place the entire clan's courtly glory upon a family they look down on and would like to see humbled. Then we have the Isawa themselves. Due to their tendency to only be concerned with the kami, "pacifism", and maho they really have never had a real grasp on the realities of the Empire. With the above considered, that leaves us with the Shiba. The Shiba keep the peace between the two spiritual families, they keep their eye on the external threats to the Clan. They also are more service oriented. Finally they're the actual "royal" line of the Clan. While the Shiba like their founder are humble, the rest of Rokugan respects their lineage and sees them as the Clan's "true" Champions. This would, in my view give them the edge on courtly behavior, and honestly I think it's appropriate. So the Shiba represent and protect the Clan on battlefields both political and military, the Isawa seek the Clan's favor with the kami and fortunes, while the Agasha follow the disciplines of the arts and spiritual enlightenment. The Dragon should keep the Agasha, that storyline went south rather quickly and I'd like to avoid those mistakes. As I see it the Phoenix has the families it needs to get the job done.

I realize I'm way late to bring out this comment but I wanted to say that I agree. The Isawa pacifist thing was a bit ridiculous for the setting in my opinion. I get that it is a spiritual clan but the Phoenix are still part of the ruling caste of a warrior society. I'd prefer that they maybe put a focus the clan on harmony. Harmony between the kami and humankind. Harmony between bushido and the mystical. Harmony between the Clans (in terms of general Clan political strategy), etc. Basically I'd prefer the Phoenix to always seek peaceful, balanced or mutually beneficial solutions but when that's not possible they're ready for war, and they march to end it quickly. Along those lines I hope that the Phoenix lore moves away from the Isawa being the defacto ruling family and adjust the story so that the Isawa and the Shiba rule together (elemental masters and the Champion) from the start. Finally, even if players decide they want to corrupt the Phoenix again (which I hope they won't but I'm not everybody) I hope the story writers use a bit more restraint in jumping the Isawa right into blood magic. Give that sort of thing a little time. But again I hope it doesn't happen.

I live in the 'boro and I'm going to be picking up Conquest once it hits stores. I'm game for getting a group together.