Adventure Time - The Lich - Using ally/character abilities?

[deadreckoning]

hey, registered just to ask this question that's been a problem a bunch of times -

I understand the official ruling is that no one (other than the player in combat with The Lich) can play any card that would affect the outcome of the combat, but what about abilities on cards that are already in play?

the only example I can think of offhand is NEPTR's ability to give -3 to a player in combat, but there might be others not coming to mind

is there a general ruling as to whether the abilities of cards in play count as "playing a card" in the context of The Lich's special restriction?