Combining Indicators & Templates
Using indicators effectively isn't about adding as many as possible — it's about combining complementary indicators that each provide different information. The goal is to create a system where indicators confirm each other without being redundant.
The Indicator Combination Framework
A well-rounded setup uses one indicator from each category:
- Trend indicator — Identifies direction (Moving Average, Ichimoku, Supertrend)
- Momentum indicator — Identifies speed and potential reversals (RSI, MACD, Stochastic)
- Volatility indicator — Identifies expansion/contraction (Bollinger Bands, ATR)
- Volume indicator — Confirms price moves (Volume, OBV, VWAP)
Warning
Avoid using multiple indicators from the same category. Two momentum oscillators (like RSI + Stochastic) will give you nearly identical signals. This is called "indicator redundancy" and provides false confidence without additional insight.
Popular Indicator Combinations
Proven combinations:
- Day Trading: 9 EMA + 21 EMA + RSI + VWAP
- Swing Trading: 50 EMA + MACD + Bollinger Bands
- Trend Following: 200 SMA + ADX + ATR for stops
- Scalping: EMA ribbon (8, 13, 21) + Stochastic + Volume
Saving Indicator Templates
Once you've found a combination that works, save it as an indicator template. Click "Indicators" → "Indicator Templates" → "Save Template." Name it descriptively (e.g., "Swing Trading Setup"). You can then load this entire setup on any chart with one click.
Pro Tip
Less is more with indicators. A clean chart with 2-3 well-chosen indicators will outperform a cluttered chart with 10 indicators every time. If your chart is so busy you can't see the price action, remove some indicators.
Key Takeaways
- Combine indicators from different categories for the best results
- Avoid using multiple indicators from the same category (redundancy)
- A solid setup: 1 trend + 1 momentum + 1 volume indicator
- Save your indicator combinations as templates for quick loading
- Less is more — 2-3 indicators beats 10 cluttered ones