Methodology: MAP / EVENT / TRIGGER

The Alpha Draconis methodology is a three-phase framework for identifying high-probability trading opportunities. Every signal generated by the Algorithm follows this sequence.

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Overview

  MAP           EVENT          TRIGGER
  ┌──────┐     ┌──────┐      ┌──────┐
  │ WHERE │ ──→ │ WHAT │ ──→  │ WHEN │
  └──────┘     └──────┘      └──────┘
  Structure    Price Action   Entry Signal

| Phase | Question | Timeframe | |-------|----------|-----------| | MAP | Where is price relative to institutional levels? | H4, D1, W1 | | EVENT | What price action event occurred at the level? | H1, H4 | | TRIGGER | When exactly to enter? | M15, H1 |

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Phase 1: MAP (Structure)

MAP identifies where the market is in relation to key structural levels. This phase answers: "Is price at a location where institutional orders are likely to exist?"

Key Concepts

• Supply Zones — Areas where price dropped sharply (institutional selling)
• Demand Zones — Areas where price rallied sharply (institutional buying)
• Equal Highs/Lows — Liquidity pools where stop orders cluster
• Order Blocks — The last candle before an impulsive move

MAP Rules

1. Only trade at fresh or once-tested zones
2. Higher timeframe MAP takes priority (D1 > H4 > H1)
3. Trade in the direction of the higher timeframe structure
4. Ignore zones that have been broken through (invalidated)

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Phase 2: EVENT (Price Action)

EVENT determines what happened when price reached a MAP zone. This phase filters out weak reactions from strong institutional footprints.

Qualifying Events

| Event | Description | Strength | |-------|-------------|----------| | Engulfing | Full body candle engulfs previous candle | Strong | | Pin Bar | Long wick rejection from zone | Moderate | | Liquidity Sweep | Price pierces level, then reverses sharply | Very Strong | | Break of Structure | Market structure shifts at the zone | Strong | | Divergence | Momentum diverges from price at zone | Moderate |

EVENT Rules

1. EVENT must occur at or within a MAP zone
2. Higher-quality EVENTs produce higher-probability trades
3. Multiple EVENTs at the same zone increase confidence
4. No EVENT = No trade (structure alone is insufficient)

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Phase 3: TRIGGER (Entry)

TRIGGER defines when to enter with precision. This is the micro-level execution signal that minimizes the invalidation distance.

Trigger Types

| Trigger | When to Use | Invalidation | |---------|-------------|--------------| | Fractal Entry | Lower timeframe confirms direction | Below/above fractal | | Retest Entry | Price retests the event level | Below/above event candle | | Break Entry | Price breaks a micro-structure within the zone | Below/above the zone boundary |

TRIGGER Rules

1. TRIGGER must align with MAP and EVENT direction
2. The invalidation point is structural, not arbitrary (never use fixed-pip distance)
3. Risk-reward minimum: 1:2 from entry to first target
4. If the TRIGGER is missed, do not chase — wait for the next setup

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Trade Management

Once a position is open:

1. Invalidation Point — Structural level that invalidates the thesis (this is your risk boundary)
2. Target 1 — First structural level in the trade direction (take partial)
3. Target 2 — Extended target at the next structural zone
4. Break Even — Move invalidation point to entry after Target 1 hit

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Next Steps

• 📖 Arsenal Core — How the Algorithm implements this methodology
• 📖 Simulator Module — Practice MAP/EVENT/TRIGGER identification