QUOTE
One of the character’s contacts has the skill set and levels
to act as her Instructor in a particular skill group (see Using
Instruction, p. 123, SR4). The Sensei and the skill group are
determined when the quality is chosen. The character need not
chase down and hire an appropriate teacher to gain the benefits of
instruction but may be subject to the contact’s availability at the
gamemaster’s discretion.
QUOTE (Bull @ Jul 11 2009, 04:44 AM)
One thing Caine Hazen pointed out to me last night... THe Sensai teaches you for free. A Contact probably won't, unless you have him at rating 4+, and even then, he's going to likely expect things of you. The Instructor costs aren't all that cheap, so in the long haul, a Sensai could be a very worthwhile investment.
You are not required to 'hire' an instructor if you have Sensei. This does not mean it is 'free', or favors will not be expected. Yet again, you must
still pay the Connection / Loyalty cost for your Sensei, in addition to the quality cost.
QUOTE (Bull @ Jul 11 2009, 04:44 AM)
Especially if you can convince your GM that the Sensai has a wide range of skills to teach, beyond a single fighting skill. I'm thinking all those training montages where the character ends up doing acrobatics and climbing and basket weaving as well as learning their martial art.
Does not work. As already pointed out, Sensei functions for a
single Skill Group.
QUOTE (Bull @ Jul 11 2009, 04:44 AM)
Plus, an Instructor only adds his dice to your pool for training tests. A sensai I'd think guarantees that the GM has to give you 10-12 extra dice.
A Sensei works identically to
any other instructor.
QUOTE (Bull @ Jul 11 2009, 04:44 AM)
In this case, it's about taking control over one aspect of your character in a way that the GM can't actively mess with too badly.
Not really. The quality does not guarantee your sensei to be any good any more than taking an appropriate contact would, which you have to do anyways to take the quality. The
only advantage the quality grants is you do not have to 'hire' them as an instructor, which is extremely vague.