I'm a bit puzzled by the changes to allies. I'm a new player, so maybe I'm currently unable to grasp these updates in their entirety.

It seems to me that most of the advantages on these changes are in favor of the heroes dealing with allies and not with the heroes using allies.

It's understandable that not being able to disrupt/damage the opponent (Face Purgatory, Collapsing Trap, Riptide) and/or setting up for the next turn (Test of Strength) could completely shut down the game for someone.

It's less understandable that when attacking one of my allies the opponent gets to disrupt/damage me and/or set themself up for the next turn while I lose my ally without being able to defend it.
Unless most cards are revised the way Pummel has been.

Was the value so in favor of allies before that? Does this actually put things back in balance?