# Delay before reduction starts in minutes

This option allows trades additional time to reach their original profit targets before any profit reduction logic is applied.

{% hint style="info" %}

## **How it works**

* After a trade is opened, the EA starts an internal timer.
* **Time-Based Profit Reduction** will only become active after the specified number of minutes has passed.
* Until the delay expires, the EA will not reduce profit targets.

**Special Values**

* `0 = No delay`\
  Profit reduction logic starts immediately, following the original behavior.
* `> 0`\
  Profit reduction is delayed by the specified number of minutes.
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### Impact on Risk & Trade Behavior

* **Risk / Drawdown**
  * A longer delay allows trades more time to reach full profit targets.
  * Trades may remain open longer, increasing exposure to market reversals.
* **Trade Duration**
  * Higher values increase average trade holding time.
  * Lower values lead to earlier profit reduction and faster exits.
* **Profit Behavior**
  * Delaying reduction preserves full TP targets early in the trade.
  * Short delays or no delay favor quicker profit realization.
    {% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Interaction with Other Settings

This option works together with:

* **Time-Based Profit Reduction step**
* **Reduction type (percent / value)**
* **Reduction value per step**
* **Adaptive Profit Scaling**

The delay only controls **when** reduction starts; it does not change **how** profit is reduced.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Typical Use Cases

* **Volatile or trending markets**
  * Allows trades to reach original TP without early reduction.
* **Conservative or range-based setups**
  * Short delay or no delay helps secure profits sooner.
    {% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Important Notes

* This setting does not affect:
  * Hard Stops
  * Equity Stops
  * Daily or Weekly Loss Limits
* Profit reduction may still be skipped if safety conditions prevent trade closure.
* This option does not guarantee higher profit or reduced drawdown.
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}

#### Recommended Practice

Changes to Time-Based Profit Reduction settings should be tested on a **demo account first**, especially when combined with:

* Adaptive Profit Scaling
* Recovery
* Exposure Reduction
  {% endhint %}


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