#147 Orc's with pistols Vs. The Martians.

Last time i talked about Rodger Moore, it was over my disdain for Kinky language manipulation to the benefit of no one. But, dear reader. There is good news. As it would seem that Mr. Moore is the man you all suspected he is. A goodly gamer with a wealth of good advice.

In his editorial (#147) he talks about mixing up genres to keep things interesting in your games. For this is offers two relatively easy to access sources.
Dragon magazine issue #135 "The Mix-&-Match Module" and page 112 in the DMG where Gary talks about introducing gunslingers to D&D and monsters to Boot Hill.

Roger talks about dropping your gunslingers into the Tomb Of Horrors or the Caves Of Chaos for a bit of a change. This wasn't a new idea at the time of publication, but it was a grand bit of advice for a young DM looking to do something new and interesting to keep his players invested in adventure. 

It has been done well in such instances as "Expedition to the Barrier Peaks" and Larry Elmore's "Snarf Quest". Adding robots, laser cannons and the odd motorcycle to spice up an adventure. 

In the end it's all about contravening expectations. It's why humor works, it's surprising or shocking. It's out of place and as any good out of place artifact (OOPArt) it's bound to be interesting to your average bear.

I must say that other than Barrier Peaks i normally stick to matchlocks and the odd arquebus. But, the odd alien invasion can do wonders for bringing disparate people together. Plus it does have mythological precedent. The religions out of the Indus valley and those of the Tigres are chock full of spaceships, gods, monsters and the general throwing about of lightning bolts.