2017-04-18 While not on the stack, the characteristics of a split card are the combination of its two halves
Even if your creature has protection, cards can still affect it in ways that dont involve damage, enchanting, equipping, blocking, or targeting
The amount of cards that Sylvan Library grants typically is enough to take over the game to the point that the loss of life doesnt matter
(To amass Orcs 3, put three +1/+1 counters on an Army you control
This can span from personal preferences to shop rules
Like every newly released card, Battles will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, given their mechanics don't seem to break the game pattern so much as to make them a semi-mandatory feature in every deck (unlike what we saw with Companions)