NQ Scalping System (1-Min Optimized) — Strategy

NQ Scalping System — What this does (in plain English)

You’re buying pullbacks in an uptrend and selling pullbacks in a downtrend.
Trend = EMA89. Entries lean on EMA8/EMA21 touches + a StochRSI reset & cross so you’re not chasing candles. Optional Volume and MACD filters keep you out of weak moves. A time window avoids dead markets and the first noisy minute.

Long setup

Price above EMA89 (trend up)

Price pulls back to EMA8 (or EMA21 if fallback is on) by at least your Min Pullback (NQ points)

StochRSI resets to oversold and %K crosses up %D

(Optional) Volume thrust and MACD momentum confirm

Within your session window

Short = mirror image.

Exits you control

Stop/Target: ATR-based (adaptive) or fixed scalp points

Trailing stop: only arms after price moves your way by X points, then trails by your offset

Early exit options: StochRSI fade, EMA break, trend break, or opposite divergence

Quick scalp: grab a few points or bail after X bars if nothing happens

Reality check
This is a rules → orders system. It will not match eyeballed indicator labels. Fills, gaps, and trail behavior are real. That’s the point.

How I’d run it (defaults that won’t waste your time)

Use ATR stops/targets by default

EMA21 fallback = ON (you’ll miss fewer good pullbacks)

MACD filter = ON when choppy; OFF when trends are clean

Volume multiplier: start modest, bump it up if you get chopped

Session: keep RTH (e.g., 09:30–15:45 ET) and skip the first minute

Quick presets for higher timeframes

Use these as starting points and then nudge to taste.

5-Minute (intraday swings)

OB/OS: 80 / 20

Volume Multiplier: 1.3

MACD: 8 / 21 / 5

ATR Stop× / Target×: 1.8–2.2 / 2.5–3.0

Min Pullback: 1.0–1.5 pts

Quick Scalp: 6–10 pts, Bars: 12–20

Trailing: Activation 6–8 pts, Offset 3–4 pts

Divergence: Hidden ON, MTF OFF

15-Minute (session legs)

OB/OS: 85 / 15

Volume Multiplier: 1.4

MACD: 8 / 21 / 5

ATR Stop× / Target×: 2.0–2.5 / 3.0–4.0

Min Pullback: 1.5–2.5 pts

Quick Scalp: 12–18 pts, Bars: 16–30

Trailing: Activation 10–14 pts, Offset 5–6 pts

Divergence: Hidden ON, MTF ON (LTF = 5m)

30-Minute (bigger intraday trends)

OB/OS: 88 / 12

Volume Multiplier: 1.5

MACD: 12 / 26 / 9 (or 8 / 21 / 5 if you want faster)

ATR Stop× / Target×: 2.2–2.8 / 3.5–5.0

Min Pullback: 2.5–4.0 pts

Quick Scalp: 18–28 pts, Bars: 20–40

Trailing: Activation 16–24 pts, Offset 6–8 pts

Divergence: Hidden ON, MTF ON (LTF = 5m or 15m)

1-Hour (multi-hour swings)

OB/OS: 90 / 10

Volume Multiplier: 1.6–1.8

MACD: 12 / 26 / 9

ATR Stop× / Target×: 2.5–3.5 / 4.0–6.0

Min Pullback: 4–7 pts

Quick Scalp: 30–50 pts, Bars: 24–60

Trailing: Activation 28–40 pts, Offset 10–15 pts

Divergence: Hidden ON, MTF ON (LTF = 15m)

Tuning tips (read this)

Getting chopped? Raise Min Pullback, raise Volume Multiplier, leave MACD ON, and narrow your session.

Missing moves? Turn EMA21 fallback ON, lower Volume Multiplier, relax OB/OS (e.g., 75/25 on 5m).

Flat days? Use Quick Scalp and a tighter Trail Activation to lock gains.