In BO1, you can have a very explosive draw with Leyline of Resonance in your hand, and a fast aggro start that ends the game as fast as turns 2 or 3
Its evolution into Steelix in later games provided new layers to its gameplay appeal, keeping it relevant as new mechanics and regions were introduced
Despite the effect of transforming Battle being a triggered ability , its controller exiles the permanent and then casts it without paying the mana cost , opening up space to interact with Battle on the stack with Make Disappear, or other counterspells, or even to bounce them on the stack, with Venser, Shaper Savant and the like
Prerelease for Wilds Unknown starts Friday, May 8th at local game stores
A 3-mana land-fetcher is right on curve for a lot of effects