Ok, so I get that the TA prevents you from modifying combat values, but I'm unsure how this works.

If:

My opponent is using Outsiders and declares the ability on his own character, I can't, for instance, Perplex down his defense. However, if I have a character with CCE, does the extra damage still apply?

If instead:

My opponent targets me with the TA, I couldn't use CCE to modify damage but I could still Perplex their stats.

Is this right or am I misunderstanding the ability?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Actually, the 2nd scenario obviously couldn't work, sorry about that.

CCE gives a damage boost to YOU, if he declared you, then you couldn't use CCE or RCE as you cant modify your stats-same thing with CR and ESD

1st scenario: he uses outsiders on himself, if you perplex down his defense it wont do anything. You can use CCE on your character to give mod your character +2. You are modifying your values not his.

2nd scenerio: He targeted you with outsiders, You can perplex his defense by -1 and it will work. the CCE will not give you +2 since he targeted you.

Outsiders is such a fun TA.

Basically, whoever is the target (friend, self, or foe) of the Outsiders ability, can't have any of their combat values modified, regardless of the source of the modification. To the Outsiders, it makes no difference if the modifier is + or -, from perplex, combat reflexes, close combat expert, due to a special power, whatever. if it uses the word modify, then it won't take effect.

For example..let's take Carry:

"When moving as a result of being given an action, this character may carry one friendly character. When this ability is used, modify this character’s speed value by –2 until the end of the action...."

If the carrier is the target of the Outsiders TA, then they could carry a figure and not modify their speed...nullifying the -2.

Okay so what about when you use Running shot, HSS, or Charge? would they use their full speeds/range?

what if you perplex your stats before you "outsiders" yourself? would it "lock" your stats or would it just "undo" your perplexing?

No. Halving is a replacement and Outsiders does nothing to replacements.

You would just undo your Perplexing.