ICT Reaper
Also: Reaper, ICT Reaper PD Array, Reaper inversion fair value gap, ICT Reaper inversion FVG
Visual Context Required
This concept requires chart visuals for full understanding.
The ICT Reaper is a specific PD array defined as a fair value gap (FVG) located in a DISCOUNT position relative to the impulsive price leg of a BULLISH breaker (or in a PREMIUM position relative to the impulsive price leg of a BEARISH breaker). It is an inversion fair value gap existing within the first leg (A-to-B) of a breaker pattern — the leg that defines the structural impulse before the lower-low (bullish) or higher-high (bearish) that forms the breaker. The key characteristic of the Reaper: it is counterintuitive — price will trade DOWN THROUGH the FVG (for a bullish Reaper), cutting through candles in what appears to be a breakdown, knocking out traders who placed stops below the FVG. This is the "damage" the Reaper inflicts. Once price prints below the Reaper FVG and shows a reversal signature (e.g., ICT confirms with bodies respecting the CE of the Reaper), this becomes the precision entry point within the breaker, before the conventional breaker re-entry (retrace to the breaker candle). The Reaper requires: (1) an established bullish or bearish higher-timeframe bias, (2) a properly identified breaker pattern (low-high-lower-low for bullish; high-low-higher-high for bearish), (3) a fair value gap within the A-to-B impulse leg that sits in discount relative to the A-to-B midpoint (for bullish).
Identification6
- Identify a valid bullish breaker (low → high → lower low, where the lower low takes out sell side stops).
- Within the A-to-B leg (low to high of the breaker's impulse), look for a fair value gap (FVG) that sits in a discount position relative to the A-to-B range midpoint.
- The Reaper FVG must be in the LOWER half (discount) of the A-to-B impulse range for a bullish Reaper.
- For a bearish Reaper: identify a bearish breaker (high → low → higher high); the Reaper FVG sits in the UPPER half (premium) of the A-to-B impulse range.
- Confirm that the lower-low (bullish) or higher-high (bearish) that completes the breaker pattern has already occurred.
- Extend the Reaper FVG levels (high and low) forward in time for reference.
Entry5
- Enter long (bullish Reaper) as price trades down into the Reaper FVG range — specifically at or below CE (consequent encroachment / midpoint) of the Reaper FVG.
- The entry candle's body respecting CE of the Reaper FVG (wicks through but body holds) is the key signature confirming entry.
- Entry does NOT require price to first break above the breaker's trigger high — this is an anticipatory entry inside the price leg before the conventional breaker confirmation.
- 'Cut through candles because we are not supply and demand' — the Reaper intentionally trades through candles that appear to be resistance.
- Classic secondary entry: if the Reaper entry is missed, use the standard bullish breaker retrace to the breaker candle body range.
Stop3
- Stop loss below the low of the Reaper FVG for a bullish Reaper.
- Allow for a 'mohawk' — a small wick below the Reaper FVG low by one tick — without invalidating the trade.
- ICT example: stop below the candle that entered the Reaper FVG at the low of that candle.
Target4
- Target: the draw on liquidity identified by higher-timeframe bias (buy-side above old high, weekly volume imbalance, etc.).
- Standard deviation projection from the breaker's A-to-B leg confirms the specific target price level.
- Intermediate target: the high of the breaker's impulse leg (point B).
- Extended target: -1 SD (one standard deviation beyond B) and confluence of -6.5 SD with old liquidity high.
Invalidation2
- If price closes convincingly below the full Reaper FVG range (for bullish) without a reversal signature, the Reaper entry is invalidated.
- Context requirement: without a clear higher-timeframe buy program and established draw on liquidity, the Reaper should not be used.
Inferred Conditions (Unvalidated)
- The Reaper is most effective during a macro window (Silver Bullet 10:00–11:00am, or PM macros) when the algorithm is actively spooling toward the identified draw.
- Wicks doing the damage (dipping into Reaper FVG) while bodies refuse to close below CE is the most reliable Reaper signature.
ICT Quotes
"This is my ICT Reaper inversion fair value gap. A Reaper inversion fair value gap is when you're inside of a breaker, you're going to cut through candles because we are not supply and demand folks. I wanted to create and codify a method to go in and capitalize on precision to take advantage of shifted sentiment and go under the radar of everybody else out there."
"A Reaper is a fair value gap in a discount of the impulsive price leg of a bullish breaker. Reverse it — a bearish ICT Reaper inversion fair value gap would be a bearish breaker that would have a fair value gap in the premium side of the impulsive price leg."
"The wicks do the damage. That's the Reaper's job. And that little signature right there tells me it's done, it's gonna go higher on entering on that candle."
"Everybody that would see my stuff online or think they understand it — think this is a liquidity void. It's not, it's going to trade down through it run the stops. Why? Because I want to knock those individuals out to have a trailing stop loss there."
"Equilibrium or higher. Except when my Reaper exists in price action, cut through all these candles and go right there."
"The bodies are respecting 50% of the previous day's range. See that? Remember, the wicks do the damage. That's the Reaper's job."
Timeframes
Version History1 version
ICT YT - 2023-07-19 - ICT Mentorship 2023 - ICT Reaper PD Array Introduction and Market Review.srt
"This is my ICT Reaper inversion fair value gap. Yes, I know it's a badass name. A Reaper inversion fair value gap is when you're inside of a breaker, you're going to cut through candles because we are…"
First and only public introduction of the ICT Reaper PD Array. Introduced as a new concept formally on July 18, 2023 (mentioned in morning tweet at 7:43am before the trade). ICT explicitly states he will not be releasing more details publicly and will cover it more in his book.
Notes
ICT introduced the Reaper in a live context on July 18, 2023 (tweeted at 7:43am before the trade). The formal lecture/definition was published July 19, 2023. ICT explicitly warns that he will not release further public details and instructs students not to create YouTube tutorials on it because "you don't know what I'm gonna teach about that very specific PDA." The Reaper is an advanced refinement of the breaker concept — it provides a pre-breaker entry for traders who already understand the breaker mechanics deeply. The key counterintuitive nature is that price moving through the Reaper FVG (in the "wrong" direction) is actually the setup trigger, not the invalidation. Cross-reference: breaker-block.yaml (standard breaker), advanced-breaker-theory.yaml (A-to-B SD projections), standard-deviation-projections.yaml.
Asymmetry Notes
Fully symmetrical: bullish Reaper = FVG in discount of bullish breaker impulse leg; bearish Reaper = FVG in premium of bearish breaker impulse leg.