Ask Gamefreak.
The first time I played 1.8, we were doing it on a server.
We were checking out inventory when suddenly two Endermen were on the hills outside our house.
Gamefreak was like "OH SHIT NIGGER WHAT ARE YOU DOING" as I ran out and fought them.
I actually managed to kill both of them with my bare fists, only to be struck down by my heroics from a creeper explosion.
Endermen are actually really easy to kill.