EPGP (and EPGPLootmaster) is also the name of the addon which makes tracking the loot priority able to be done in game, with minimal administration.

So, if its an addon, does everyone need it?
No, you do not need to load the EPGP addon to participate and get credit. ONLY the raid leader needs to have it loaded and configured.

Yes, you do need to load the EPGPLootmaster addon, in order to participate in looting rounds, and receive loot. Technically, there is a line command option, but that is much slower and more complication, the EPGPLootmaster addon provides a very intuitive GUI format, making the system very fast.

Anyone else who wants to can load the EPGP addon, it should not interfere with others or really cause an issue. But it is not required. This will allow you to monitor the overall guild raid list at any time, but doesnt really provide much else.

What is the EPGP loot system?
This is the real big question. In simple terms, EPGP is a priority list, of all participants in the raid, which defines who gets the first choice for a item that drops. Basically, everyone is listed in order, and the first person gets first choice for the item. If they pass, then person #2 gets to choose. Etc, down the line to the last. If someone opts to take the item, they move down to the list, and their current priority drops.

So in concept, each time something drops, the raid leader would pull up the list, and ask for a "need", "greed", or "pass" decision from each person, in order.

But wont that take a long time during a raid?
If we were using a paper system, then yes. However, with the addon, the process is much easier. In that case, the raid leader "opens" bidding for an item. At that point, anyone in the raid can put their name in, and the addon reports whomever is the highest priority who wanted the item. After a given time, the raid leader "closes" the bidding, and the addon announces the winner, automatically updating the priority list in game.

At any point, you can always find where you fall in the list, and who is above or below you, so you can judge for yourself if a given drop is worth bidding.

Based on testing we have done, it actually seems to speed up the looting process, since everyone is pretty focused at the time.

OK, so who determines who is where in the priority list?
Priority (PR) in EPGP is determined by two factors, your Effort Points (EP), and your Gear Points (GP). You earn EP by doing things with the guild, including showing up on time, attending raids, practising on hard bosses, and downing new guild targets (amongst other things). You "earn" GP by taking loot on a given run. The ratio of EP by GP (EP/GP) gives you your PR.

Typical values for EP are 50 pts for being on time, 50 pts for each 30 minutes of raid, and 200 pts for each first time boss kill. A typical 3 hour raid night where we "farm" bosses (taking them down easily) would be worth 350 pts, or 550 if we defeated a new boss for the first time.

All new members (and all current members, at the time of EPGP being implemented) are set for starting values of 0 EP, and 100 GP. This is the mechanical minimums for the system. GP is set for 100, simply because division by 0 causes confusion.

What happens to loot if everyone passes on it?
The default approach is to Disenchant any loot for which no one is willing to bid. By not bidding, you are stating that the loot is either not useful, or not useful enough to lose your spot. Therefore, the only appropriate action would be to DE the item, and place the shard in the guild bank. Of course, if there is no DE'er, then the item itself would be given to a guild banker, for vendor sale.

Why dont we just give the passed loot to the appropriate person, instead of DE'ing it? Maybe someone can use it, but isnt willing to give up their slot?
By doing this, that would defeat the entire purpose of the system. If you want the item, bid on it. It is your call if it is an "upgrade" or not. If you can use it and it would be helpful, you are expected to bid. If we start bypassing the bid, then giving it to the "appropriate person", then a loot system is irrelevant (and we return to the earlier flawed system).

If it is not important enough to select Need, or you are unwilling to be charged that price, select Greed. Greed items are charged a lower value, since they are considered a second tier of bidding. Typically, this can be because of off-spec need or otherwise, but the option exists.

What are "cosmetic" drops, and how are they handled?
Cosmetic drops are what we are calling things that drop on very rare occasions, and are highly desirable, but have little to no combat benefit. Examples would be the Baron's Mount, from Stratholme, or Atumen's Mount from Karazhan. But it also includes things like non-combat pets, and non-combat trinkets (like the everlasting firework). Everyone wants them, but they dont help the raid progress at all.

In these very rare cases, regardless of purple, blue, etc level of the item, EPGP will NOT be used. Instead, everyone on the raid at the time of the drop has an equal chance of the item, based on a pure random roll. One roll each, one winner per item.

It is the Raid Leaders call if there is a questionable item, as to whether it is "cosmetic" or not, but most should be pretty obvious.

What is the difference between Need, Greed, and Pass?
EPGP gives everyone 3 options for each piece of loot, Need, Greed, or Pass. Need is defined as anything you "must" have, specifically geared toward your current talent build. Greed is anything you "would like to have", either something for a secondary talent build, or minor upgrades. Typically Greed is a way of saying "I will take it, if no one else wants it". Passing simply says "I do not want it".

Once everyone has selected their option (or the timer has run down), the Raid Lead distributes the loot based on Priority. The highest priority "NEED" wins the item. If there are no NEEDs, then the highest priority "GREED" wins the item. It there are no NEEDs or GREEDs (ie, everyone passed), the item is given to an enchanter to disenchant for the guild bank.

What is Decay?
EPGP includes a mechanism for point decay. Currently, our system is defined with a 25% decay, done once at the end of every raid month. What this does is adjust existing points downward, so that previous earnings are worth less in comparison to current earnings. ie, the 1000 pts of Effort you earned are only worth 750 pts after one month.

At the time of decay, EP and GP are both adjusted the same. This means your priority does not change. The exception to this is if you have a very low GP value (either due to never taking loot, or not having taken anything recently). In this case, the GP cannot drop below the defined guild minimum, so the only factor that is adjusted is the EP. Although your Priority will drop, your position in the overall priority listing should stay close to the same.

Where can I get more information?
From a variety of sources, including the original programmers website, EPGP. You can also contact any officer in game with questions, or myself (Snivel) specifically. Most of the officers have been very active in the testing, and can explain the process well.

You can also post a discussion or debate in the forums, and get feedback from the guild. As always, we welcome open discussion.