Do caster out of combat options matter?

[QuickLyRaiNbow]

Point being, it isn't unreasonable for non-combat challenges that genuinely challenge or stymie the party to exist and appear in a campaign. If the games' own designers are to be believed, some 2/3 of the game should consist of such non-combat challenges.

I don't think the game's own designers should be believed on this point, given the way their adventures are written. They may say that, but it's not apparent in their work.