Backtesting & Strategy
Display mode matters when designing strategies against RD Renko bars. All three modes share the same underlying brick and reversal logic, but they differ in how reversal bricks are constructed — and that affects which OHLC elements are fully real versus partially synthetic. For backtest results to reflect live behavior, your strategy should only read OHLC elements that are real for the mode you're using.
Continuation bricks
On continuation bricks (bricks that extend the current direction) every OHLC element is real in every mode:
- Open — previous brick's close (threshold actually reached)
- Close — new threshold (actually reached)
- High / Low — actual price extremes tracked during brick formation
Strategies that trade only against continuation bricks are safe in any mode.
Backtesting guidance
The table below maps common strategy patterns to modes. Mode 2 (CO-Dbl) is highlighted because it's the only mode where every OHLC element is real on every bar — making it the safest choice for full-OHLC strategy logic.
Strategy element | Mode 1 (CO-Uni) | Mode 2 (CO-Dbl) ★ | Mode 3 (OO-Uni) |
|---|---|---|---|
Close-based entries/exits | Unreliable on reversal splits | Reliable | Unreliable on reversal range |
Open-based entries | 1st reversal brick only | Reliable | Unreliable on reversal range |
Wick-based logic (H/L) | Reliable | Reliable | Reliable |
Recommendation | Wick preferred | Full OHLC safe | Wick only |
Which mode should I pick?
- If your strategy uses opens or closes on reversal bricks, use Mode 2 (CO-Dbl). It's the only mode where every OHLC element is real on every bar.
- If your strategy trades only on continuation bricks, any mode is safe.
Free version note: The free version uses OO-Uni with flat bars (no wicks). Reversal bar opens are synthetic (same caveat as paid Mode 3), so limited, non-reversal, close-based strategies are recommended. For full-OHLC strategy work, use the paid version with Mode 2.