PPP Powers

From my understanding to get access to the PPP pools you still must complete a patron arc. Does that mean you cannot access the PPP pools until level 40 when you can get one of them as a contact (instead of 35 like the APPs)??

The patron arcs are available at 35 now. See the ParagonWiki article. It looks lik the Patron's level ranges are wrong on their articles, though (they still say 40).

We've been saving Paragon City for eight and a half years. It's time to do it one more time.

So as I thought more about this question. Does this mean that to get a PP Power at 35 you have to actually level to 35...pick another power...complete the patron arc...respec and choose the PP Power? If so, that seems kind of dumb.

Also, does the contact automatically come to you at 35 like it did at 40 or do you need a broker (or another contact) to give it to you?

You can just go talk to the contact at lvl 35.

And yes, it seems a bit weird to have to level and choose a power, then have to respec. If they wanted to keep it similar to how it was, the Patron contacts should unlock at 34. Heck, maybe they do. I've never tried it. Mostly because I'm still snagging powers from my secondary at lvl 35 and often even at level 38, so I don't think I've done a patron arc any sooner than lvl 38ish.

Edit: And after thinking about it, maybe the patron contact unlocks at combat lvl 35 and not security lvl 35. So you could level up to 35 and just not train, then do the arc, then go train to lvl 35. I REALLY doubt it works this way, tho, but it would make sense in this isolated case to do it this way, if it's possible.

To get a Patron, you must be introduced by an Arbiter (Rein or Daos, I can never remember which. The one outside the front door of the tower). The Arbiter is introduced when you train to 35, but you can talk to him before you train.

If you level up to 35 (or higher) before getting your Patron, and feel that you want the Patron Powers earlier in the build, remember that the Patron arc awards a respec - you don't need to earn one elsewhere if you need to respec.

Thanks for clarifying. Yeah, I was sorta vague, and I apologize. "the contact" I mentioned in my post was the Arbiter, who introduces the patron. Just assumed everyone knew the procedure. I can't even recall the guys name either, but he's the one out front of the building where the patrons all sit at. And it's not like he makes ya jump through a lot of hopes before he introduces your patron of choice. Read 4 signs all within 50' of each other. And all right next to him. I do wish I could recall the guys name, though.

And yeah, you do get a respec, but I think in many people case, they'd rather not have to respec, not that they feel they can't earn a respec. Respecs are REALLY easy to come by, especially now, as you can get it in the Paragon Market is all other avenues are closed or more difficult than you want to bother with. I think for most people it's the pain and annoyance of having to do the respec itself. I know it is for me. I'd hate to have to take a power I knew I didn't want, and then respec out of it if I already had a careful build plan.

But, that's just me. I easily could be reading my own bias into other peoples desires.

Really, very cool. That's quite helpful.