TopStep Combine Rules: Targets, Drawdowns & Scaling

TopStep Combine: Entry Point for Prop Firm Trading

The TopStep Combine is the entry challenge to get funded at TopStep. It's designed as a 30-day evaluation period where you must hit a profit target (typically $3,000–$8,000 depending on account size) while staying within drawdown limits. The Combine is intentionally shorter than FTMO's Phase 1, which appeals to traders who don't want to wait 6 weeks for feedback. TopStep's philosophy is: if you're a real trader, 30 days is enough time to show your edge. The Combine rules are: (1) Daily loss limit of 6% of account balance. (2) Monthly loss limit of 6% of account balance. (3) Profit target varies by account size—typically $3,000 on $25k, $5,000 on $50k, etc. Unlike FTMO where you must hit profit target to advance, TopStep is more about *consistency over 30 days*. You don't need to hit the full profit target if you're trending toward it and respecting drawdowns. TopStep also allows traders to trade after 4:15 PM ET (post-market hours), which FTMO does not. This appeals to traders who want to trade fewer hours per day or focus on extended hours liquidity.

TopStep's Scaling and Account Duplication

One of TopStep's best features is their scaling model. You don't have to upgrade to a larger account to increase your buying power. You can *duplicate* your account. If you're trading a $25k account, you can request a second $25k account once you prove consistent profitability. This means you can run two $25k accounts simultaneously, which is like trading a $50k account but with the psychological safety of separate balance sheets. Many TopStep traders love this because a bad streak doesn't wipe out both accounts; you might be down on one while up on the other. Also, TopStep's profit splits are generous: you keep 90% of profits on your first account, 80% on duplicates. This incentivizes traders to prove themselves, get duplicates, and scale up. The fastest path to $100k accounts at TopStep is being good enough and consistent enough to earn duplication requests. This is rare—most traders fail the Combine once or twice before passing—but it's possible, which is why TopStep attracts ambitious traders.

TopStep Success Patterns: Slow and Steady Wins

TopStep Combine traders who succeed follow a clear pattern: they aim for $200–$500 profit per day, compounded over 30 days. This sounds modest until you do the math: $300/day for 20 trading days is $6,000, which surpasses the profit target. The beauty of this approach is that it's *achievable* for disciplined traders who focus on a few high-probability patterns. TopStep traders often specialize: one trader trades bull flags on ES futures only, another trades VWAP bounces on tech stocks, another trades inside bars on NQ. By narrowing their focus, they develop deep expertise and high accuracy. The opposite approach—trying to be a 'generalist' trader and capture every market setup—leads to overtrading, rule violations, and failure. TopStep's 30-day format also rewards traders who can sustain focus. Unlike FTMO's Phase 1 (which can end in 2 weeks if you get lucky), TopStep forces you to prove your edge over a full month. This is why TopStep passers are often genuinely profitable traders, not lucky traders. If you can grind $300/day for 20 days without rule violations, you have an actual edge.