Trader's reference · 36 indicators · DBN-opinionated

Indicators Reference

What each indicator measures, when it fires, when it fails — with a mini visual on every card and a DBN verdict telling you whether to use it. Plus pairings that work, mistakes to avoid, and a "pick the right indicator" decision flow.

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Indicators

5 categories

DBN approved

— / 36

use as confirmation

Optional

— / 36

confluence only

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— / 36

noise / lag traps

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DBN Approved Stacks

Pre-built combinations that work as a unit. Each stack is a complete answer to one trading question — confluence, not noise. Click any indicator to read its full card.

ICT setup → indicator map

For each major DBN setup, the indicators that actually add value. Primary = must-have (sizing + confirmation). Confluence = optional layer. Click any indicator row to read its full card.

Pick the right indicator

Speak trader, not technical jargon · click a need to see the recommendation

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I need to…

Size my stops

↗

I need to…

Confirm trend direction

⚖️

I need to…

Filter trend vs range

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I need to…

Find institutional reference

🔄

I need to…

Spot divergence at extremes

🤐

I need to…

Spot pre-breakout compression

🎯

I need to…

Time entries inside a setup

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I need to…

Set HTF bias

Combo analyzer

Pick 2–6 indicators below to check synergies, redundancies, and missing roles. Score 0–100. Curated for traders who think they need 7 indicators on one chart.

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✓ Pairings that work

RSI + Bollinger Bands

RSI divergence at the upper or lower band = high-conviction reversal signal. Either alone is noisy; the confluence filters chop.

ATR + Structure

ATR sizes the stop, structure decides where to place it. Stop = swing-low − 1.5×ATR, target = next HTF level. Foundation of risk-aware ICT execution.

VWAP + Killzones

VWAP-reversion plays during NY AM Open or London Open killzones. The institutional reference + the institutional time = high-edge confluence.

200 EMA + ADX

Only trade trend setups when ADX > 25 AND price is on the right side of the 200 EMA. Two simple filters, materially fewer revenge entries against the trend.

BB inside Keltner (TTM Squeeze)

When Bollinger Bands sit inside Keltner Channels, volatility is compressed and a breakout is statistically due. Pre-breakout filter, not an entry trigger.

Volume + Displacement

Confirm structural breaks (BOS/CHoCH) with above-average volume on the breakout candle. No volume spike = the move likely retraces.

✗ Pairings that don't

Stochastic + RSI + Williams %R

Three oscillators measuring the same thing. Three confirmations of the same signal isn't confirmation — it's the same bet placed three times. Pick one.

5 + 10 + 20 + 50 + 200 EMAs

Visually busy, no edge. Pick 1–2 (e.g. 21 for LTF + 200 for HTF bias). More MAs ≠ more signal.

MACD + Awesome Oscillator

Both are difference-of-MAs oscillators. They lag identically and fire at the same time. Pure redundancy.

CCI + RSI

Different scales, same momentum read. CCI's unbounded range makes it look distinct but the entry/exit signals overlap heavily with RSI's.

BB + Keltner + Donchian

Three volatility envelopes is two too many. Use Bollinger inside Keltner for the squeeze read; ditch Donchian unless you specifically trade Turtle-style breakouts.

Fibonacci on every swing

Confluence becomes noise when 8 fib clusters overlap on a chart. Anchor at the dominant HTF swing only — multi-fib spaghetti always finds a level "near" any move.

⚠️ Common indicator mistakes

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Stacking similar oscillators

RSI + Stochastic + Williams %R + CCI on one chart. They all measure overbought/oversold from the same input. Three confirmations of one bet, not three independent signals.

Pick one oscillator. Trust it.

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Trading oscillator reversals in trends

RSI sits at 80 for 12 sessions while price rips. You short every "overbought" signal. RSI doesn't care that price is trending. Oscillators are mean-reversion tools — they fail in trending regimes.

Use ADX or Choppiness Index to filter regime first.

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Curve-fitting parameters

"I tested RSI(9) instead of RSI(14) — backtest looks better!" Now your strategy fits the past, not the future. Defaults are defaults because they generalise. Optimisation = overfitting.

Use defaults. Earn improvements through structure, not tuning.

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Indicator-only entries

"RSI < 30 = buy." That's an indicator playing trader. An indicator alone has no structural context. RSI < 30 in a downtrend means "still oversold and falling further".

Lead with structure (BOS/CHoCH/OB). Indicator confirms.

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Timeframe mismatch

RSI(14) on M1 ≠ RSI(14) on D1 in meaning — one measures noise, the other the regime. Match indicator timeframe to your trade timeframe. Don't take an M5 RSI signal as confirmation of an H4 setup.

Indicator TF = trade TF. Always.

Per-timeframe parameter cheat sheet

Defaults that work change with the timeframe you trade. RSI(14) on M1 is noise; on H4 it's the read. The most common silent error in indicator use.

LEARN

TA Foundations Pathway →

Indicators in context · 12 lessons

DEEPER

Lesson p13: Indicators →

When they help, when they mislead

PRACTICE

Paper Trading →

Test indicators on a live chart before trusting them

HUB

All Tools →

Calculators, scanners, session timer, pivots

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Why DBN deprioritises indicators

Every indicator is lagging by definition — it describes what already happened. DBN trades raw price + structure (BOS, CHoCH, FVG, OB, liquidity) so the signal arrives at the move, not after it. Indicators reserved for context, not entry triggers.

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When indicators ARE useful

Three roles. Sizing: ATR for stop distance, BB width for vol regime. Reference: VWAP for institutional bias, Pivot/Fib for level confluence. HTF bias: 200 EMA on D1 to confirm trend direction. Filter the noise — don't trade it.

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How to combine with structure

Indicator alone = noise. Structure alone = signal. Indicator + structure = confluence. Example: bearish OB at premium zone + RSI divergence = stronger entry than either standalone. Always lead with the structural read.