XAUUSD M5 Expert Advisor — Complete Parameter Reference for Funded Trader Accounts
⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
The .set files and settings in this guide are starting points only. Every prop firm has different rules, leverage, spreads, and execution — what works on one broker may not work on another. Do not use these settings on a funded account without thorough testing first.
- Always test on a demo account with your specific broker for at least 2–4 weeks before going live
- Verify your firm's exact rules (daily loss calculation method, trailing vs static DD, leverage limits)
- Adjust risk parameters to match your firm's specific limits — never assume defaults are correct for your account
- Past performance and backtest results do not guarantee future results
- The developer is not responsible for any losses incurred on funded or personal accounts
Do your own research. Trade at your own risk.
Links
| The Impossible Gold — FREE on MQL5 Market |
| The Impossible Prop — on MQL5 Market — new multi-pair parallel EA (EURUSD + GBPUSD M5), prop-firm DD aware |
| MQL5 Seller Profile |
| Discord Community — signals, prop firm tips, trader chat |
This guide covers every parameter in The Impossible Gold EA with its default value, the prop-adjusted value, and what happens if you change it further. A downloadable .set file is included so you can load all prop firm settings in one click.
Why Prop Firms Need Different Settings
Prop firms impose strict rules that personal accounts don't have:
- 5% daily loss limit — one bad day can end your account
- 10% max drawdown — account terminated if breached
- Risk must stay well under limits with buffer room
- Goal shifts from maximising return to consistent profit without breaching rules
The Impossible Gold's default settings are optimised for maximum profit on a personal account. For prop firms, we trade some upside for survival.
Quick Start — Loading the Set File
- Download the .set file for your prop firm (see Individual Set Files table below — e.g. TheImpossibleGold_FTMO.set)
- Open MT5 → attach EA to a XAUUSD M5 chart
- In the inputs tab, click Load
- Browse to the .set file → Open → OK
You only need to load it once per chart. MT5 remembers the settings. Individual .set files are available for FTMO, The5ers, E8 Funding, Funded Next, and Blue Guardian.
Complete Parameter Reference
Strategy Settings
Genetically optimised breakout detection — do not change for prop firm use.
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timeframe | M5 | M5 | 5-minute chart. Optimised for Gold's intraday volatility. |
| LookbackBars | 36 | 36 | Bars to define breakout range. 36 = 3 hours of consolidation. |
| BufferPips | 2.5 | 2.5 | Pips above/below range before triggering entry. |
| MinRangePips | 20.0 | 20.0 | Minimum range size. Below $2.00 on Gold is noise. |
| MaxRangePips | 1500 | 1500 | Maximum range size. Above $150 = trending, not consolidating. |
| MinScoreToTrade | 60 | 60 | Confidence threshold (0-100). Evaluates ADX, EMA, RSI, ATR. 60 = high conviction entries only. |
| MaxHoldBars | 0 | 0 | 0 = no time limit. Set to 60 (5 hours) if your firm has intraday-only rules. |
| CooldownBars | 0 | 0 | Bars wait after a trade. Set 1-3 to prevent revenge trading after a loss. |
Session Filter
Optimised for London/NY overlap — highest liquidity for Gold.
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SessionStart | 2 | 2 | 02:00 GMT (Asian session). v2 catches early breakouts. |
| SessionEnd | 19 | 19 | 19:00 GMT. Stops before thin late-session liquidity. |
| ExcludeStart / End | 12 / 15 | 12 / 15 | No trades 12-15 GMT (London lunch gap). Optimiser found this window is net-losing. |
| BlockWednesday | true | true | v2 strongest signal — Wednesday is net-losing across ALL top 8 optimisation results. |
| Other Days | all false | all false | Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri all profitable. BlockFriday=true avoids weekend gap risk. |
Risk Management — CRITICAL FOR PROP FIRMS
These settings directly control whether you stay within prop firm rules.
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RiskPerTrade ⚠️ | 1.5% | 0.75% | CRITICAL. Halved. Worst-case daily = 3 × 0.75% = 2.25% — well under 5% daily limit. Never exceed 1.0% on prop accounts. |
| CompoundAggressive | true | false | CHANGED. Uses starting balance for sizing. Prevents lot size fluctuation from breaching limits after a win streak. Always false for prop. |
| FixedLots | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 = percentage-based (recommended). |
| MinLotSize | 0.01 | 0.01 | Check your prop firm's minimum. |
| MaxLotSize | 10.0 | 10.0 | Safety clamp. Set to your firm's per-trade limit if applicable. |
TP & SL
The 5.5:1 ratio (TP 300 / SL 55) is the EA's v2 core edge. Wider SL gives trades room to survive Gold's volatility.
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TP_Pips | 300 | 300 | $30.00 on Gold. Three trade outcomes: full TP, trailing exit (partial win), or full SL. |
| SL_Pips | 55 | 55 | $5.50 on Gold. At 0.75% risk, each loss = exactly 0.75% of account. Wider than v1 (SL=25) but fewer stop-outs on noise. |
| MaxSpread | 50.0 | 50.0 | Won't trade if spread > $5.00. Protects against illiquid periods. |
| SpreadMultiplier | 5 | 5 | v2 change (was 3). Wider spread buffer for EnforceMinStops at initial order placement. Does not affect trailing stop. |
Trade Management — Trailing Stop
The trailing stop locks profit as a trade moves in your favour. Once price moves 15 pips past entry (TrailingStart), the SL follows 20 pips behind the price (TrailingStep). This creates three possible trade outcomes:
| Outcome | When | Result (0.01 lot) |
|---|---|---|
| Full SL | Price reverses before trailing starts | -$5.50 (55 pips) |
| Trailing Exit | Trailing engages, then price reverses | Variable partial win |
| Full TP | Price reaches 300 pips | +$30.00 |
Note: SpreadMultiplier only affects EnforceMinStops() at initial order placement — it does not affect trailing stop modifications. The trailing stop function uses a separate, simpler distance check (broker's SYMBOL_TRADE_STOPS_LEVEL , typically 0 on Gold). Trailing works identically on backtest and live.
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| UseBreakeven | false | false | Trailing stop handles profit protection. Consider enabling (Trigger=40) for extra prop safety. |
| BreakevenTrigger | 50 | 50 | Move SL to breakeven after 50 pips (only if UseBreakeven=true). |
| BreakevenOffset | 5 | 5 | Breakeven SL 5 pips above entry (covers spread). |
| UseTrailingStop | true | true | Primary profit protection. SL follows price after TrailingStart trigger. |
| TrailingStart | 15 | 15 | Starts trailing after 15 pips profit. Works on both backtest and live. |
| TrailingStep | 20 | 20 | v2 optimised. SL trails 20 pips behind price once trailing starts. Locks partial profits on winning trades. |
Capital Protection — Shield-First Design
The EA uses a two-layer protection design. Shield is the active daily protector — it pauses trading when drawdown gets uncomfortable, then lifts next day so the EA can recover. MaxDrawdown is the emergency-only panic button — set just 1% below your firm's actual termination point.
Why this matters: If MaxDrawdown is set too conservatively (e.g. firm limit minus 2-3%), the EA can enter a deadlock: Shield fires and lifts next day, but MaxDrawdown permanently blocks all further trading before the account can recover. By setting MaxDrawdown at firm limit minus 1%, Shield has room to do its pause-and-recover cycle while MaxDrawdown only fires in a true catastrophe (slippage, gap event).
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MaxDrawdown ⚠️ | 0 (off) | firm limit - 1% | EMERGENCY ONLY. Permanent shutdown. Set to your firm's max DD minus 1%. Shield handles day-to-day protection — this is the last-resort brake. |
| MaxDailyLoss ⚠️ | 0 (off) | 4.0% | CRITICAL. Stops trading for the day at 4% loss. Most firms limit 5% — this gives 1% buffer. Set to your firm's daily limit minus 1%. |
| MaxOpenTrades | 1 | 1 | One position at a time. Never increase on prop accounts. |
| MaxTradesPerDay | 10 | 3 | CHANGED. Worst case = 3 × 0.75% = 2.25% — safely under 4% cap. Formula: MaxTrades × Risk < MaxDailyLoss. |
| MaxConsecLosses | 0 (off) | 2 | CHANGED. Auto-pauses after 2 consecutive losses. Resets next day. |
News Filter
Essential for prop firms — news spikes can blow through stops with slippage exceeding planned loss.
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EnableNewsFilter | false | true | CHANGED. Uses MT5 economic calendar for high-impact USD events. Always enable for prop accounts. |
| NewsMinutesBefore | 30 | 30 | Blocks trades 30 min before events. |
| NewsMinutesAfter | 15 | 15 | Blocks trades 15 min after events. |
Shield Circuit Breaker — #1 Funded Account Feature
The Shield locks in gains. Arms after a profit milestone, then stops trading if you start giving it back.
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EnableShield ⚠️ | false | true | CRITICAL. Monitors equity and stops trading when DD from peak exceeds trigger. Always enable for funded accounts. |
| ShieldArmPct | 400% | 75% or 0% | CHANGED. Formula: (Risk/7) × ShieldArmPct = profit % needed to arm. At 0.5% risk and 50% ArmPct, Shield needs +3.6% profit before it activates — a problem if the account starts losing immediately. For tight DD firms (≤8% max DD), set to 0% so Shield arms from trade #1. For generous firms (10%+ DD), 75% gives room to build profit before locking in. |
| ShieldDrawdownPct | 10% | 5% | CHANGED. Triggers at 5% DD from peak. Set to roughly half your firm's max DD rule. |
| ShieldRecovery | 0 (permanent) | 1 (next day) | CHANGED. Shield lifts next trading day. Options: 0=permanent, 1=next day, 2=recovery-based. |
| ShieldRecoveryPct | 50% | 50% | Only used if ShieldRecovery=2. |
Regime Filter (Weekly Chart)
Detects macro trend. Prevents trading against strong weekly trends.
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| EnableRegimeFilter | true | true | Monitors weekly EMA slope. Keep enabled — trendless markets increase DD. |
| RegimeEMAPeriod | 50 | 50 | 50-period weekly EMA (~1 year). |
| RegimeLookback | 4 | 4 | Slope over 4 weekly bars (~1 month). |
| RegimeMinSlope | 0.30% | 0.30% | Below ±0.30% = FLAT market. |
| BlockCounterTrend | false | false | Trades both directions. Set true for max safety at cost of fewer signals. |
Direction Exclusions & Display
| Parameter | Default | Prop | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy/Sell Exclude zones | all 0 | all 0 | No hour-based direction blocks. |
| ShowDashboard | true | true | Real-time dashboard. Disable on VPS if needed. |
| ShowChartExtras | true | true | EMA lines and trend labels on chart. |
| DebugMode | false | false | Enable temporarily for troubleshooting. |
Prop Firm Cheat Sheet
Quick Formula: MaxTradesPerDay × RiskPerTrade < MaxDailyLoss - 1%
Example: 3 × 0.75% = 2.25% < 4.0% ✓ (1.75% buffer)
| Prop Firm | Daily Loss | Max DD | Set MaxDailyLoss | Set MaxDrawdown | Risk % (Challenge) | Risk % (Funded) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO | 5% | 10% | 4.0% | 9.0% | 1.25% | 0.75% |
| Blue Guardian | 3% | 6% | 2.5% | 5.0% | 0.3% | 0.75% |
| The5ers | — | 6% | 3.0% | 5.0% | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| E8 Funding | 5% | 8% | 4.0% | 7.0% | 0.75% | 0.5-0.75% |
| Funded Next | 5% | 10% | 4.0% | 9.0% | 1.0% | 0.75% |
Individual Set Files — One-Click Setup Per Firm
Download the .set file for your specific prop firm. Each file has risk, protection, and Shield parameters pre-tuned to stay safely within that firm's rules. Load it in MT5 (Inputs tab → Load) and you're ready to trade.
| Prop Firm | Set File | Risk% | Daily Cap | Max DD | Trades/Day | Shield Arms | Shield DD | Cooldown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTMO Challenge | TheImpossibleGold_FTMO_Challenge.set | 1.25% | 4.0% | 9.0% | 3 | off | — | 0 |
| FTMO Funded | TheImpossibleGold_FTMO.set | 0.75% | 4.0% | 9.0% | 3 | 75% | 5% | 0 |
| BG Challenge (5K) | TheImpossibleGold_BG_5K_Challenge.set | 0.3% | — | 7.0% | 2 | 0% | 5% | 0 |
| BG Funded (100K) | TheImpossibleGold_BG_100K_Funded.set | 0.75% | 2.5% | 5.0% | 3 | 0% | 5% | 1 |
| BG Funded (50K) | TheImpossibleGold_BG_50K_Funded.set | 0.75% | 2.5% | 5.0% | 3 | 0% | 5% | 1 |
| Blue Guardian (generic) | TheImpossibleGold_BlueGuardian.set | 0.75% | 2.5% | 5.0% | 3 | 0% | 5% | 1 |
Which file to use? Pick your firm from the table above. If your firm isn't listed, use the one with the closest DD rules (tighter is safer). All files use the same optimised strategy — only risk, protection, and Shield parameters differ.
Complete Settings Comparison — All Prop Firms vs Personal
Every parameter that differs between prop files and the personal (Optimised_v2) settings. Strategy parameters (SL, TP, sessions, entries) are identical across all files — v2.0 optimised values.
| Parameter | Personal | FTMO Challenge | FTMO Funded | BG Challenge | BG Funded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm Daily DD | — | 5% | 5% | 4% | 3% |
| Firm Max DD | — | 10% | 10% | 8% | 6% |
| RiskPerTrade | 1.5% | 1.25% | 0.75% | 0.3% | 0.75% |
| CompoundAggressive | true | false | false | false | false |
| MaxDrawdown | off | 9.0% | 9.0% | 7.0% | 5.0% |
| MaxDailyLoss | off | 4.0% | 4.0% | off | 2.5% |
| MaxTradesPerDay | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| MaxConsecLosses | off | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| CooldownBars | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| EnableNewsFilter | false | true | true | true | true |
| EnableShield | false | false | true | true | true |
| ShieldArmPct | 400% | — | 75% | 0% | 0% |
| ShieldDrawdownPct | 10% | — | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| EnablePropFirm | false | true | true | true | true |
| PropMaxDD | — | 10.0 | 10.0 | 8.0 | 6.0 |
| PropDailyDD | — | 5.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
| Worst-Case Daily | — | 3.75% | 2.25% | 0.6% | 2.25% |
| Feb ET Result | — | +9.0% | +3.5% | +1.1% | +3.5% |
| Mar Result | — | +12.1% | +11.5% (RD) | +2.6% | +11.5% (RD) |
Reading the table: Green values are changed from personal defaults for prop safety. Challenge configs use higher risk (1.25% FTMO, 0.3% BG) with Shield OFF — the goal is to hit the profit target. Funded configs use 0.75% risk with Shield ON from trade #1 — the goal is survival and consistent payouts. Worst-Case Daily = MaxTradesPerDay × RiskPerTrade.
Challenge vs Funded: These are now separate .set files. The challenge files prioritise profit generation (higher risk, no Shield, no cooldown). The funded files prioritise survival (lower risk, Shield active, CooldownBars). Download the correct file for your account phase.
Q1 2026 Backtest Results — FTMO Challenge $100,000 Account
Test Conditions: 1 Feb – 31 Mar 2026 | XAUUSD M5 | $100,000 starting balance | Every Tick (real ticks) | EA v2.0 | TheImpossibleGold_FTMO_Challenge.set (1.25% risk)
Performance Summary
| Metric | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | FTMO Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Profit | +$9,047 (+9.0%) | +$12,060 (+12.1%) | Phase 1: +10%, Phase 2: +5% |
| Trades | 45 | ~45 | — |
| Win Rate | 57.8% | ~58% | — |
| Profit Factor | 1.54 | ~1.6 | — |
| Max Daily DD | 1.7% | ~2% | 5% limit |
FTMO Verdict: Either month alone passes Phase 2 (+5% target). March passes Phase 1 (+10%) in a single month. Max daily DD of 1.7% stays well under the 5% rule. The FTMO Challenge config uses 1.25% risk with MaxTradesPerDay=3, MaxConsecLosses=3, and no Shield (challenge phase needs profit generation, not profit protection).
Q1 2026 Backtest Results — Blue Guardian $100,000 Funded Account
Test Conditions: 1 Feb – 31 Mar 2026 | XAUUSD M5 | $100,000 starting balance | EA v2.0 | TheImpossibleGold_BG_100K_Funded.set (0.75% risk, tuned protection)
Feb: Every Tick (real ticks) | Mar: Random Delay Every Tick — adds simulated broker latency for more realistic execution
Blue Guardian has the tightest rules of all major prop firms: 3% daily loss / 6% max drawdown. This tests whether v2 can generate profit under extreme DD constraints.
Performance Summary
| Metric | Feb 2026 (ET) | Mar 2026 (Random Delay) | BG Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net Profit | +$3,542 (+3.5%) | +$11,538 (+11.5%) | Challenge: +8% |
| Trades | 44 | 54 | — |
| Win Rate | — | 63.0% | — |
| Profit Factor | 1.49 | 2.00 | — |
| Max Daily DD | 0.9% | 1.7% | 3% limit |
| Max DD (peak) | — | 2.6% | 6% limit |
BG Funded Config: 0.75% risk, MaxTradesPerDay=3, MaxConsecLosses=3, CooldownBars=1, MaxDailyLoss=2.5%, Shield ON at 0% (arms from trade #1). Tuned specifically for BG's tight 3%/6% rules.
BG Verdict: Feb was strong (+3.5% on standard ET). March was exceptional on Random Delay (+11.5%, PF 2.00, 63% WR) — the more realistic test mode that simulates live broker latency. Max daily DD 1.7% stays well under BG's 3% limit. Max DD from peak of 2.6% is less than half the 6% termination threshold. Combined Q1: +$15,080 (+15.0%) while never approaching any BG rule.
BG 5K Challenge Results (Every Tick)
Test Conditions: Feb – Mar 2026 | TheImpossibleGold_BG_5K_Challenge.set (0.3% risk, 2 trades/day)
| Month | Profit | Trades | WR | PF | Avg Win | Avg Loss | Max Daily DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb | +1.1% | 30 | 56.7% | 1.36 | $243 | $235 | 0.4% |
| Mar | +2.6% | 36 | 63.9% | 1.84 | $244 | $234 | 0.6% |
| Total | +3.7% | 66 | 60.6% | 1.60 | $244 | $235 | 0.6% |
At +1.8%/month average, the 5K config passes BG's 8% challenge target in ~4.5 months. Max daily DD of 0.6% is 15% of the 4% daily limit — extremely low breach risk. Conservative and structurally safe.
Challenge vs Funded — Different Priorities
Challenge Phase — Need to hit 8-10% profit target within time limit:
- RiskPerTrade: 0.75-1.0%
- MaxTradesPerDay: 3-5
- ShieldArmPct: 300-400% (don't arm too early)
- ShieldRecovery: 1 (next day reset)
- CooldownBars: 0 (maximise opportunities)
Funded Phase — Survival is everything:
- RiskPerTrade: 0.5-0.75%
- MaxTradesPerDay: 2-3
- ShieldArmPct: 150-200% (arm early)
- ShieldRecovery: 0 or 2 (permanent or recovery-based)
- CooldownBars: 3-6 (prevent revenge trading)
Disclaimer: Settings based on typical prop firm rules as of 2026. Firms change rules frequently — always verify your firm's current rules. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Trading involves risk of loss.
From the same author — The Impossible Prop (EURUSD + GBPUSD)
Running prop firm 100K challenges? The Impossible Gold's sister EA — The Impossible Prop — is a session-breakout scalper purpose-built for the standard 5% / 10% drawdown framework on EURUSD and GBPUSD M5. Two genetically tuned instances run side-by-side on the same account with a built-in Parallel Awareness layer: when one halts the other respects it, correlated same-direction entries can be blocked, and a combined daily-trade cap can govern the pair as a unit.
4-month verified out-of-sample: +6.9% / 65.5% win rate / 87 trades / ~7.8% peak DD / 0 prop breaches. Hard TP + hard SL on every trade. Same single binary also runs on personal accounts via one toggle.
→ View The Impossible Prop on MQL5 Market
The Impossible Gold — mortah.ai | XAUUSD M5 Expert Advisor for MetaTrader 5 | Questions? MQL5 PM or Discord.
