Wizard’s Challenge II (1994) continues the one-on-one scenarios in the same mode as the previous volume. Rather than being introductory, it’s meant for a wizard character who, presumably, made it through the first Wizard’s Challenge, or at least is of equivalent experience. I suppose you could use these as catch-up scenarios for someone who missed some sessions? I question the need to build on the original series; I’d rather have a honking big pile of introductory scenarios on hand.

Again, a specific sort of wizard is in mind, one using the Militant Wizard or Academician kits and specifically calls out that specialist wizards with low offense spellbooks will be hard-pressed. This one is arranged primarily around investigation and problem-solving, but not to the previous extent. There’s a fair bit of combat in comparison. It’s doable by a lone wizard, probably, but similar to Cleric’s Challenge, I kind of wonder if this would be better in a beefed-up form as a more traditional group adventure? Maybe the assumption was more than one player wouldn’t be interested in talking to all the NPCs?

Anyway, I like the scenario. Frontier town. Strange beast in the wilderness. Ruins to explore, a spellbook to find. The page devoted to further adventures notes a number of additional spellbooks are out there. I’d like to find them!

Cover is credited to Clyde Caldwell and that certainly is a lie. I would guess it is the work of the Lakeys, but I can’t be sure. I don’t believe it has appeared elsewhere. Nice ink art by Terry Dykstra inside. His carrion crawler design is pretty rad.