Specifically on monsters. Are all checks to defeat a monster combat checks, including checks like the Satyr's dexterity check? When fighting the Satyr, do you use Blessing of Calistria or Erastil?
I had always thought that it was only a combat check if the check was specifically labeled "combat," which meant strength or melee unless altered by a power of some kind, like a spell. But then I saw this blurb in the FAQ today:
If It Isn’t Called Something, It Isn’t That Thing. Every term described in the rules and on cards has a specific definition. The Goblin Warchanter has the Goblin trait, but the Goblin Dog doesn’t, even though it has Goblin in its name. A Potion of Healing may sound like it’s magical, but it doesn’t have the Magic trait. A Ghost deals Combat damage when it damages you, even if you failed a Divine check to defeat it. Detect Magic doesn’t use the word “explore,” so you can play it at times when you can’t explore. Don’t make assumptions—just read the card.
To be clear: I'm good on any check specifically labelled "combat." I'm asking about any other type of check made to defeat a monster.
Yeah. That is a bit confusing. Its only a combat check if the bane calls for a combat check. So the Satyr is a non-combat Dexterity check (or Acrobatics). So you would prefer Calistria over Erastil.
But the check to defeat and the damage dealt aren't related. So no matter what kind of check you attempted to defeat the monster, it deals you combat damage unless it says otherwise. (The Satyr says otherwise).
Take Damage, If Necessary. If you fail a check to defeat a monster, it deals an amount of damage to you equal to the difference between the difficulty to defeat the monster and your check result. Unless the card specifies otherwise, this damage is Combat damage. For example, if the difficulty to defeat a monster is 10 and the result of your check is 8, the monster deals 2 Combat damage to you.
Notice there is nothing in there about what kind of check you failed, just that you failed. So when taking damage, only the difficulty and the result matter. It is combat damage, unless it says otherwise.
The Ghost is the best example of this. You can attempt a Combat 12 or Wisdom/Divine 8 check to defeat it. If you attempt the Wisdom/Divine 8 check and fail, it will still deal you combat damage, even though it was a non-combat check that you attempted.
So even though there is check called combat and there is a type of damage called combat, they really aren't directly related. Monsters deal you combat damage. Attempting a combat check does not deal you combat damage. There is a barrier with combat as one of the checks to defeat and there could conceivably one day be an ally with a Combat check to acquire (maybe he's impressed by your combat?). Neither would deal you damage for failing the check.
See this thread if you want to know more.
Ah, I see. So it's like I thought prior to reading that. Good to know I haven't played anything wrong.