Cactus Game Design Message Boards

I believe the rule is that each player may start one side-battle per turn. However, there are cards like The Long Day, Grapes, and Ambush the City that are not side battles.

Basically, yes. A player may only initiate a side-battle once per turn.

Well, you've now reached the end of how much side battles can be contemplated without headaches

From the REG regarding Side Battles:

Surviving characters that return to the main battle bring their enhancements to the main battle. Any ongoing effects of special abilities are applied (e.g., immunity) to the main battle unless that special ability was exhausted in the side battle (e.g., a draw a card). Rules for initiative in the original battle resume. Only one side battle may be initiated by a player each turn.

So... is "fight by the numbers" an "ongoing" ability?

The following are ongoing special abilities:

Lasting Effects (last until end of battle unless specified otherwise)
   ...Increase or Decrease Ability
      Increase or Decrease Hand Limit
      Negate All
      Prevent
      Protect...

Sing and Praise (as well as Visions) may set a precedent: they both specify that enhancements are negated only in the side battle. I could see it argued that since Midianites Attack, Mask of Fear, etc. do not specifically target the side battle that they would continue into the main battle.

Sing and Praise (Pi)
Type: Hero Enh. • Brigade: Red • Ability: None • Class: None • Special Ability: Force two Evil Characters to fight each other. Negate special abilities on evil Enhancements played in that side battle. • Play As: Holder may take any two Evil Characters in play and cause them to fight each other in a side battle. Negate special abilities on evil Enhancements played in that side battle. • Identifiers: OT, Involves Music • Verse: Judges 5:3 • Availability: Priests booster packs (Rare)

I'd be fine with a game rule defaulting FBTN to side battles though, it would cut added confusion...

Cards that are prevented when played don't re-activate.

I may be missing something (and am quite often a couple fries short ) but I don't think that this game rule applies the issue. Mask of Fear played in a side battle is not "prevented" it is "preventing" (and interupting). Does the FBTN carry back to the original battle? This MUST be a common question... I've ruled in the past that FBTN on a surviving character carries back into the original battle (thus, often, negating the side battle itself)...

*Puppy Face* Will somebody PLEEEASE give a care and answer this question before my next playgroup get together?