diff --git a/scripts/hv-unified.user.js b/scripts/hv-unified.user.js
index 603f52c..f65b57c 100644
--- a/scripts/hv-unified.user.js
+++ b/scripts/hv-unified.user.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 // ==UserScript==
 // @name         HV Unified
 // @namespace    hvunified
-// @version      0.14.3
+// @version      0.14.4
 // @description  HV Unified — battle automation, guidance, and UI enhancements for HentaiVerse
 // @author       GaboGG + Hermes
 // @match        *://*.hentaiverse.org/*
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 // CONFIG — default settings
 // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 
-const VERSION = '0.14.3';
+const VERSION = '0.14.4';
 
 const CFG = {
     // — Battle automation
@@ -1155,12 +1155,19 @@ function strategyNovice() {
         const ch = findBestChannelingTarget();
         if (ch) return ch;
     }
+    // Collect available buff candidates and sort by cost
+    const buffCandidates = [];
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.10 && hasReadySpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
-            return { type: 'spell', name: b.spell, selfTarget: true };
+            const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
+            buffCandidates.push({ ...b, mpCost: sp ? sp.mp : 0 });
         }
     }
+    if (buffCandidates.length > 0) {
+        buffCandidates.sort((a, b) => STATE.channeling ? b.mpCost - a.mpCost : a.mpCost - b.mpCost);
+        return { type: 'spell', name: buffCandidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: STATE.channeling ? 'chBuff' : 'buff' };
+    }
 
     // 4. Mana/spirit items — AFTER buffs (Novice)
     if (STATE.mp < CFG.manaGemMP) {
@@ -1291,17 +1298,24 @@ function strategyAdept() {
     }
     // If channeling is active, prioritize most expensive buff for best value
     // Note: channeling reduces cost to ~1, but the game pre-checks base MP,
-    // so we skip spells we can't afford at base cost
+    // If channeling is active, prioritize most expensive buff for best value
     if (STATE.channeling && STATE.mp > 0.10) {
         const ch = findBestChannelingTarget();
         if (ch) return ch;
     }
+    // Collect available buff candidates and sort by cost
+    const buffCandidates = [];
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.10 && hasReadySpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
-            return { type: 'spell', name: b.spell, selfTarget: true };
+            const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
+            buffCandidates.push({ ...b, mpCost: sp ? sp.mp : 0 });
         }
     }
+    if (buffCandidates.length > 0) {
+        buffCandidates.sort((a, b) => STATE.channeling ? b.mpCost - a.mpCost : a.mpCost - b.mpCost);
+        return { type: 'spell', name: buffCandidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: STATE.channeling ? 'chBuff' : 'buff' };
+    }
 
     // 4. Mana/spirit items — AFTER buffs (Adept)
     if (STATE.mp < CFG.manaGemMP) {
@@ -1447,12 +1461,20 @@ function strategyVeteran() {
             const ch = findBestChannelingTarget();
             if (ch) return ch;
         }
+        // Collect available buff candidates and sort by cost
+        // No channeling → cheapest first (proc chance), channeling → most expensive (MP value)
+        const buffCandidates = [];
         for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
             if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.10 && hasReadySpell(b.spell)) {
                 if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
-                return { type: 'spell', name: b.spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: 'buff' };
+                const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
+                buffCandidates.push({ ...b, mpCost: sp ? sp.mp : 0 });
             }
         }
+        if (buffCandidates.length > 0) {
+            buffCandidates.sort((a, b) => STATE.channeling ? b.mpCost - a.mpCost : a.mpCost - b.mpCost);
+            return { type: 'spell', name: buffCandidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: STATE.channeling ? 'chBuff' : 'buff' };
+        }
     }
 
     // 4. Mana/spirit items — AFTER buffs (Novice)
diff --git a/scripts/latest.user.js b/scripts/latest.user.js
index 603f52c..f65b57c 100644
--- a/scripts/latest.user.js
+++ b/scripts/latest.user.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 // ==UserScript==
 // @name         HV Unified
 // @namespace    hvunified
-// @version      0.14.3
+// @version      0.14.4
 // @description  HV Unified — battle automation, guidance, and UI enhancements for HentaiVerse
 // @author       GaboGG + Hermes
 // @match        *://*.hentaiverse.org/*
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 // CONFIG — default settings
 // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 
-const VERSION = '0.14.3';
+const VERSION = '0.14.4';
 
 const CFG = {
     // — Battle automation
@@ -1155,12 +1155,19 @@ function strategyNovice() {
         const ch = findBestChannelingTarget();
         if (ch) return ch;
     }
+    // Collect available buff candidates and sort by cost
+    const buffCandidates = [];
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.10 && hasReadySpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
-            return { type: 'spell', name: b.spell, selfTarget: true };
+            const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
+            buffCandidates.push({ ...b, mpCost: sp ? sp.mp : 0 });
         }
     }
+    if (buffCandidates.length > 0) {
+        buffCandidates.sort((a, b) => STATE.channeling ? b.mpCost - a.mpCost : a.mpCost - b.mpCost);
+        return { type: 'spell', name: buffCandidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: STATE.channeling ? 'chBuff' : 'buff' };
+    }
 
     // 4. Mana/spirit items — AFTER buffs (Novice)
     if (STATE.mp < CFG.manaGemMP) {
@@ -1291,17 +1298,24 @@ function strategyAdept() {
     }
     // If channeling is active, prioritize most expensive buff for best value
     // Note: channeling reduces cost to ~1, but the game pre-checks base MP,
-    // so we skip spells we can't afford at base cost
+    // If channeling is active, prioritize most expensive buff for best value
     if (STATE.channeling && STATE.mp > 0.10) {
         const ch = findBestChannelingTarget();
         if (ch) return ch;
     }
+    // Collect available buff candidates and sort by cost
+    const buffCandidates = [];
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.10 && hasReadySpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
-            return { type: 'spell', name: b.spell, selfTarget: true };
+            const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
+            buffCandidates.push({ ...b, mpCost: sp ? sp.mp : 0 });
         }
     }
+    if (buffCandidates.length > 0) {
+        buffCandidates.sort((a, b) => STATE.channeling ? b.mpCost - a.mpCost : a.mpCost - b.mpCost);
+        return { type: 'spell', name: buffCandidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: STATE.channeling ? 'chBuff' : 'buff' };
+    }
 
     // 4. Mana/spirit items — AFTER buffs (Adept)
     if (STATE.mp < CFG.manaGemMP) {
@@ -1447,12 +1461,20 @@ function strategyVeteran() {
             const ch = findBestChannelingTarget();
             if (ch) return ch;
         }
+        // Collect available buff candidates and sort by cost
+        // No channeling → cheapest first (proc chance), channeling → most expensive (MP value)
+        const buffCandidates = [];
         for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
             if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.10 && hasReadySpell(b.spell)) {
                 if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
-                return { type: 'spell', name: b.spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: 'buff' };
+                const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
+                buffCandidates.push({ ...b, mpCost: sp ? sp.mp : 0 });
             }
         }
+        if (buffCandidates.length > 0) {
+            buffCandidates.sort((a, b) => STATE.channeling ? b.mpCost - a.mpCost : a.mpCost - b.mpCost);
+            return { type: 'spell', name: buffCandidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: STATE.channeling ? 'chBuff' : 'buff' };
+        }
     }
 
     // 4. Mana/spirit items — AFTER buffs (Novice)
diff --git a/src/config.js b/src/config.js
index 9637530..1c9f6cf 100644
--- a/src/config.js
+++ b/src/config.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 // CONFIG — default settings
 // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
 
-const VERSION = '0.14.3';
+const VERSION = '0.14.4';
 
 const CFG = {
     // — Battle automation
diff --git a/src/header.user.js b/src/header.user.js
index 12da18c..6888b41 100644
--- a/src/header.user.js
+++ b/src/header.user.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 // ==UserScript==
 // @name         HV Unified
 // @namespace    hvunified
-// @version      0.14.3
+// @version      0.14.4
 // @description  HV Unified — battle automation, guidance, and UI enhancements for HentaiVerse
 // @author       GaboGG + Hermes
 // @match        *://*.hentaiverse.org/*
diff --git a/src/strategy-engine.js b/src/strategy-engine.js
index d10eaf9..26d8d4c 100644
--- a/src/strategy-engine.js
+++ b/src/strategy-engine.js
@@ -430,12 +430,19 @@ function strategyNovice() {
         const ch = findBestChannelingTarget();
         if (ch) return ch;
     }
+    // Collect available buff candidates and sort by cost
+    const buffCandidates = [];
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.10 && hasReadySpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
-            return { type: 'spell', name: b.spell, selfTarget: true };
+            const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
+            buffCandidates.push({ ...b, mpCost: sp ? sp.mp : 0 });
         }
     }
+    if (buffCandidates.length > 0) {
+        buffCandidates.sort((a, b) => STATE.channeling ? b.mpCost - a.mpCost : a.mpCost - b.mpCost);
+        return { type: 'spell', name: buffCandidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: STATE.channeling ? 'chBuff' : 'buff' };
+    }
 
     // 4. Mana/spirit items — AFTER buffs (Novice)
     if (STATE.mp < CFG.manaGemMP) {
@@ -566,17 +573,24 @@ function strategyAdept() {
     }
     // If channeling is active, prioritize most expensive buff for best value
     // Note: channeling reduces cost to ~1, but the game pre-checks base MP,
-    // so we skip spells we can't afford at base cost
+    // If channeling is active, prioritize most expensive buff for best value
     if (STATE.channeling && STATE.mp > 0.10) {
         const ch = findBestChannelingTarget();
         if (ch) return ch;
     }
+    // Collect available buff candidates and sort by cost
+    const buffCandidates = [];
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.10 && hasReadySpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
-            return { type: 'spell', name: b.spell, selfTarget: true };
+            const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
+            buffCandidates.push({ ...b, mpCost: sp ? sp.mp : 0 });
         }
     }
+    if (buffCandidates.length > 0) {
+        buffCandidates.sort((a, b) => STATE.channeling ? b.mpCost - a.mpCost : a.mpCost - b.mpCost);
+        return { type: 'spell', name: buffCandidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: STATE.channeling ? 'chBuff' : 'buff' };
+    }
 
     // 4. Mana/spirit items — AFTER buffs (Adept)
     if (STATE.mp < CFG.manaGemMP) {
@@ -722,12 +736,20 @@ function strategyVeteran() {
             const ch = findBestChannelingTarget();
             if (ch) return ch;
         }
+        // Collect available buff candidates and sort by cost
+        // No channeling → cheapest first (proc chance), channeling → most expensive (MP value)
+        const buffCandidates = [];
         for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
             if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.10 && hasReadySpell(b.spell)) {
                 if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
-                return { type: 'spell', name: b.spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: 'buff' };
+                const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
+                buffCandidates.push({ ...b, mpCost: sp ? sp.mp : 0 });
             }
         }
+        if (buffCandidates.length > 0) {
+            buffCandidates.sort((a, b) => STATE.channeling ? b.mpCost - a.mpCost : a.mpCost - b.mpCost);
+            return { type: 'spell', name: buffCandidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true, _reason: STATE.channeling ? 'chBuff' : 'buff' };
+        }
     }
 
     // 4. Mana/spirit items — AFTER buffs (Novice)