What results can I expect with Hercules AI EA? +

Realistic expectations: 8-12% monthly returns with $500-1,000 capital using MediumRisk settings, based on 22-week live signal showing 343% over that period (averaging ~15% monthly). Results vary significantly based on spread costs (2 pips vs 3 pips = 30% profit difference), capital level (undercapitalized accounts see larger drawdown %), and market conditions (trending gold produces better results than consolidation). Backtest data shows 96.8% win rate, but live trading typically sees 90-93% due to slippage and real-world execution delays.

What makes Hercules AI different from other gold EAs? +

Three core differentiators: (1) Pure Price Action method—no indicators means no lag on fast XAUUSD moves where 10-20 pips lost waiting for indicator confirmation, (2) AI pattern recognition validates Price Action signals to filter false setups that pure PA systems miss, (3) Strict 2-position limit with fixed lots—unlike grid EAs that open 10+ positions risking exponential losses, this caps exposure completely. Developer Aleksandr Chebotaev has 8 products on MQL5 with established reputation, not anonymous one-EA vendor.

Does Hercules AI work on demo accounts? +

Yes, fully functional on demo for validation testing. Mandatory 60-90 day demo period recommended before live deployment to verify: (1) EA trades during your broker's GMT offset hours (requires configuration—see FAQ Q7), (2) spread costs don't exceed 2 pips average (kills profitability if higher), (3) broker execution speed adequate (slow fills = slippage losses). Demo results typically match live within 10-15% variance if broker conditions identical.

Can I use Hercules AI for prop firm challenges? +

Yes, structure fits most firm rules: 26.8% maximum drawdown stays under typical 20-30% limits when using Conservative settings with $1,000+ challenge capital. Critical requirements: (1) No Martingale = passes prohibited strategy rules, (2) Fixed SL/TP on every trade = risk-defined per position, (3) 90.2% win rate helps consistent daily targets. However, test on demo first—some firms restrict EAs or have spread markups that reduce profitability below challenge thresholds.

What capital do I need to run this EA safely? +

Minimum $500 recommended, though technically runs on $100 (high risk—26.8% DD becomes account-threatening at that level). Optimal $1,000-2,000 for Conservative to MediumRisk settings—provides drawdown buffer and allows proper lot sizing. Consequences if undercapitalized: (1) Normal 15-20% drawdown periods become 40-50% swings risking margin calls, (2) forced to use micro lots that make $5-10 per trade (months to see meaningful growth), (3) single unexpected loss can trigger psychological panic-selling. Capital sizing matters more than settings optimization.

What are the main risks I should know about? +

Top 3 specific risks: (1) Spread sensitivity—if broker widens spreads >3 pips during news/sessions, profitability drops 40-60% (500-point TP becomes 470 after spread costs), (2) GMT offset misconfiguration—EA trades 13:00-18:00 GMT+3 by default; wrong setting = trades during low-liquidity Asian session with poor results, (3) Recovery mode if enabled—doubles lot size after losses attempting recovery, can accelerate drawdown if losing streak extends. Mitigation: Use ECN broker with consistent spreads, verify GMT offset matches broker time, keep Recovery disabled until experienced with EA behavior.

Which brokers work best with this EA? +

ECN/STP brokers with <2 pip average XAUUSD spread critical—spread costs directly reduce 500-point TP effectiveness. Recommended types: Roboforex (live signal uses Weltrade), XM, FBS mentioned in documentation. Avoid market makers with: (1) Spread widening >3 pips during news (kills trades), (2) Requotes on fast markets (missed entries), (3) GMT offset changes during DST (breaks time filter). Test broker on demo 30+ days monitoring: average spread, execution speed during 13:00-18:00 GMT+3, slippage on 0.01-0.02 lot orders. If spreads consistently >2 pips, find different broker—settings can't compensate for spread disadvantage.

What support do I get after purchase? +

Email support for technical setup issues (installation, GMT offset configuration, broker compatibility questions) with typical 24-hour response time. Support covers: EA not trading troubleshooting, parameter explanation, broker recommendation guidance. Not covered: Settings optimization requests (use provided presets), trading strategy modifications, guaranteed profit claims. When contacting support, include: MT4 build number, broker name, GMT offset setting, screenshot of EA inputs, description of specific issue. Developer maintains active MQL5 presence for product updates.