I encounter a monster. Part of the text on the monster tells me, "Before you act, succeed at a certain check".
I have blessings that can add multiple dice to a non combat check. Is this BYA check considered non combat?
yes. a check is only a combat check when it says it's a combat check.
The only weird one that I keep having to think about is when the check to defeat is "Melee". That is not a combat check because it doesn't say combat check, but it sure feels like one. :)
You need to play rugby. Melee is a full skill that Has nothing to do with combat. Rugby is played by gentlemen like me.