The special ability of a “play by the numbers” card explicitly says that it interrupts and prevents ALL special abilities. Side battles fought during a main battle that is “play by the numbers” is also play by the numbers. “Play by the numbers characters” are not limited to affecting enhancements in the Field of Battle. They affect all enhancements in play including a set-aside card that my opponent may be trying to activate on a Hero in his territory.
Banding a “play by the numbers” character negates the banding ability. The character must return to the territory. However, the battle is now “play by the numbers” because a “play by the numbers” card cannot negate itself. The cards in a banding chain that follow the first banding card that can be negated are all negated. The net result is that the cards are indirectly negated. This situation is typically referred to as the “cascading negates” or the “house of cards”.
If a “play by the numbers” card is searched, found, and played, it negates the search card and must be returned to the pile. Because the search is negated, the abilities (*/*) of the “play by the numbers” card retrieved go away. However, the “negate all...” special ability stays. The battle remains by the numbers.
Cards that cannot be interrupted, prevented, or negated ‘stick’ to the table. They cannot be negated directly or indirectly (e.g., by a Search, Reveal, or Exchange or Return to Draw Pile card); the card(s) that cannot be negated and its special ability remains. The card is discarded following the battle (not returned to the draw pile to be used again).