What exactly defines a check against a monster? Is it the same as a check to defeat or is it any check on a monster's card?
Example:
Kess' power:
On your check against a monster... you may recharge an ally to add 1d4 plus the card's level.
Skeletal Owlbeast
Before acting, succeed at an Acrobatics, Melee, or Perception 5 check or suffer 2 Combat damage.
Is this before acting check "a check against a monster"? Could Kess recharge an ally to add 1d4 plus the card's level?