Short beginner guide for EPGP

[maky]

Heya everyone.

Since we have quite some new people and our "dkp" system - EPGP - can be very confusing at start, I thought to write a short "FAQ" style guide.
This doesn`t have to anything with the fact that I like to write long and boring guides, not at all *cough*

What is a DKP system, and what purpose does it serve?
DKP stands short for "Dragon Kill Points" - which comes from the days of Everquest - and it serves as some sort of currency to award loot based on individual effort. Wowwiki has a pretty nice page about it here (click!).

Are there different DKP systems? How do they work?
Usually, now "DKP" only refers to the general idea of having some sort of currency. The "variations" are given from how the system works - i.e. on what formulas and rules it operates.
Here (click!) is another good wowwiki page which explains things in detail, if you`re interested to read more on the topic.

What does EPGP stand for, and how does it work?
EPGP comes short from "Effort Points, Gear Points", and it is a DKP system we use here in Prophecy.
It`s aim is to have a more even distribution of the loot. As a very rough estimation, it aims to give each raider a number of items coresponding the number of raids attended. Assuming I attend 2 raids, and Sini attends 3 raids, out of 5 items, I`ll get 2, he`ll get 3.

Here`s more detailed information.
Warning! Incoming boring mathgeek explanations. Read at your own risk!
There are three numbers that are of interest : EP, GP and PR. Ok, I`m aware this can be confusing at start, so I`m going to explain how each works, so keep on reading.
EP. This stands for "Effort Points". Each member has an individual EP value. As it`s name suggests, you earn these points for each raid you attend.
GP. This stands for "Gear Points". Each member has an individual GP value. Contrary to a first impression, you don`t "spend" these. Your GP value will increase for every item you get. However, the EP and GP values are independent, so when you get an item, your EP won`t change.
PR. This stands for "Progress Rating". As with EP and GP, each member has an individual PR value. However, PR is determined from your EP and GP.
The formula is PR = EP : GP (hence, ratio). As an example, if you have 1000 EP and 200 GP, your PR will be 1000:200=5.
This PR value is actually the "number" which determines who gets an item - the person with higher PR wins.

So, how does it work? Let me first extend the example with me and Sini. Let`s assume we both start with 0 EP and 0 GP. Note : the values that I`ll use aren`t realistic, but just for the sake of the example. I`ll explain Prophecy-specific values below.
So let`s say we both get 1000 EP per every raid, and every item is 100 GP. I miss the first raid, while he goes and wins an item. After this, our standings would be :

	EP	GP	PR
Maky	0	0	0
Sini	1000	100	10

Now, let`s assume we both attend the next raid, and I get two items, while Sini gets one.

	EP	GP	PR
Maky	1000	200	5
Sini	2000	200	10

At the end of the next raid, this awesome trinket [wowitem]40683[/wowitem] drops and we both want it so much! Since we already got the +1000 EP for the raid, here`s how our situation looks before we "roll" for the item :

	EP	GP	PR
Maky	2000	200	10
Sini	3000	200	15

Since his PR is higher than mine, I`m going to lose :'(. After that, our new standing will be

	EP	GP	PR
Maky	2000	200	10
Sini	3000	300	10

So the example turns out good. During the last 3 raids, I`ve attended 2, while Sini has attended all. So, from 5 items, it`s more likely that he will win 3 and I will win 2, and after that we`ll be close in standings.

So this is a very basic example of how EPGP works.

You said that you`ll explain Prophecy-specific numbers below. What does that mean?
I`ve used a +1000 EP per raid and +100 GP per item as example values. In reality, for us, here`s how it works :
EP. You`ll get 125 EP every 15 mins while in a raid. That translates to roughly 2000 EP per raid evening (4 hours).
GP. An item`s GP value depends on two factors - the item level and the item slot. Currently, we only use EPGP for 25-mans, so that`s item levels 213 (msot of bosses) and 226 (Kel`Thuzad and Malygos drops, except tier 7 helm). Here`s how it works for items with level 213 :
70 GP : Wrist, Neck, Back, Finger, Off-hand, Shield, Wand, Ranged Weapon
105 GP : Shoulder, Hands, Waist, Feet, Trinket
141 GP : Head, Chest, Legs, 2H weapon
211 GP : 1H Weapon
282 GP : 2H Weapon

For precise item-specific gp values, please download the EPGP addon from here (click!). It will show you in-game the gp value of every item in it`s tooltip.

Are there any additional things?
Yep. Two more things.
Decay. This happens weekly, we do it every Wednesday before the raid. It will decrease both the EP and GP values by 20%. This means that PR will not change. Why? Let`s take an example : 1000 EP and 100 GP before the decay means 10 PR. After the decay, new EP will be 800, new GP will be 80, hence new PR will be 10 , which is the same value. The decay has two reasons. First, to allow people that got alot of loot a long time ago, then didn`t get anything, to have a realistic chance to win an item (since GP will decay in time). Second is to prevent EP "hoarding" and to counter inactivity in a way, so people can`t "save" EP and then go inactive for a long time, and as soon as they come back they get dressed in purples.
Min GP. You may have noticed in the example that both me and Sini started with 0 GP. In Prophecy, we have a minimum GP of 200. This means everyone starts with 200 GP, even though no items were won, and decay won`t get GP below 200. This has the purpose to even out a newcomer`s PR value, since having a very low GP would lead to insanely high PR values. Basically, everyone starts with 200 GP.
Min EP. This is a "threshold" value that new people will have to reach before winning over our regular members. It is currently set at 5556 EP. This translates as this : if you have less than 5555 EP, regardless of your PR, a member with higher than 5556 EP will win an item over you. Seeing as we get roughly 2000 EP per raid, it is quite easy to reach.

If I want an item only for offspec, do I have to pay full value for it?
No. If you take it for offspec, you`ll pay only 20% of the item`s value. This is very little, so take it if it`s good for you!

I want to learn more, and your explanations are crap. Where can I read about this?
I would suggest this link (click!) for further info and a lovely GP formula .

[maky]

Updated to reflect changes from 09/01/2009. The aim of the changes is to reward activity better than we used to do before, and hopefully to prevent mass-disenchanting: to encourage people to actually take the loot.

• We reintroduced Min EP and set it to 5556. Without going through the maths, this means that a person that attends at most one raid every two weeks won`t be able to win items over a regular raider.
• We raised Decay to 20%. The aim of this was to prevent hoarding and to encourage people to take loot instead of it being DEed, and also to encourage activity.
• We raised Min GP to 200. Again, without going through the maths, the purpose of this is to even out a new member`s extremely high PR because of low GP. As it is set now, it takes roughly two weeks of good attendance (5-6 raids) to reach a higher than average PR.
• We further reduced the offspec cost to 20%. This is again, to encourage people to take loot even for offspec without it being DEed. Seeing as we`ve raised decay too, you`ll "recover" the points you spent on an offspec item because of decay (your GP will get lower again).