diff --git a/scripts/hv-unified.user.js b/scripts/hv-unified.user.js
index 5b3d9bb..66ec63f 100644
--- a/scripts/hv-unified.user.js
+++ b/scripts/hv-unified.user.js
@@ -881,8 +881,6 @@ function findBestChannelingTarget() {
         if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
         // Skip completely fresh Heartseeker (> 50 turns means just cast)
         if (b.icon === 'heartseeker' && dur > 50) continue;
-        // Only consider buffs that would benefit from a refresh
-        if (dur > 10) continue; // Still fresh, don't waste channeling
         const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
         const mpCost = sp ? sp.mp : 0;
         // Score: higher MP cost + lower remaining turns = better channeling target
@@ -892,7 +890,11 @@ function findBestChannelingTarget() {
 
     if (candidates.length > 0) {
         candidates.sort((a, b) => b.score - a.score);
-        return { type: 'spell', name: candidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true };
+        // Only use a buff if it actually needs refreshing (score >= 5 means
+        // e.g. a 50-MP spell with <9 turns left or a 140-MP spell with <27 turns)
+        if (candidates[0].score >= 5) {
+            return { type: 'spell', name: candidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true };
+        }
     }
 
     // Fallback: ANY damage spell rather than waste the charge on basic attack
diff --git a/scripts/latest.user.js b/scripts/latest.user.js
index 5b3d9bb..66ec63f 100644
--- a/scripts/latest.user.js
+++ b/scripts/latest.user.js
@@ -881,8 +881,6 @@ function findBestChannelingTarget() {
         if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
         // Skip completely fresh Heartseeker (> 50 turns means just cast)
         if (b.icon === 'heartseeker' && dur > 50) continue;
-        // Only consider buffs that would benefit from a refresh
-        if (dur > 10) continue; // Still fresh, don't waste channeling
         const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
         const mpCost = sp ? sp.mp : 0;
         // Score: higher MP cost + lower remaining turns = better channeling target
@@ -892,7 +890,11 @@ function findBestChannelingTarget() {
 
     if (candidates.length > 0) {
         candidates.sort((a, b) => b.score - a.score);
-        return { type: 'spell', name: candidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true };
+        // Only use a buff if it actually needs refreshing (score >= 5 means
+        // e.g. a 50-MP spell with <9 turns left or a 140-MP spell with <27 turns)
+        if (candidates[0].score >= 5) {
+            return { type: 'spell', name: candidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true };
+        }
     }
 
     // Fallback: ANY damage spell rather than waste the charge on basic attack
diff --git a/src/strategy-engine.js b/src/strategy-engine.js
index f7edba8..854c22f 100644
--- a/src/strategy-engine.js
+++ b/src/strategy-engine.js
@@ -233,8 +233,6 @@ function findBestChannelingTarget() {
         if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
         // Skip completely fresh Heartseeker (> 50 turns means just cast)
         if (b.icon === 'heartseeker' && dur > 50) continue;
-        // Only consider buffs that would benefit from a refresh
-        if (dur > 10) continue; // Still fresh, don't waste channeling
         const sp = findSpell(b.spell);
         const mpCost = sp ? sp.mp : 0;
         // Score: higher MP cost + lower remaining turns = better channeling target
@@ -244,7 +242,11 @@ function findBestChannelingTarget() {
 
     if (candidates.length > 0) {
         candidates.sort((a, b) => b.score - a.score);
-        return { type: 'spell', name: candidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true };
+        // Only use a buff if it actually needs refreshing (score >= 5 means
+        // e.g. a 50-MP spell with <9 turns left or a 140-MP spell with <27 turns)
+        if (candidates[0].score >= 5) {
+            return { type: 'spell', name: candidates[0].spell, selfTarget: true };
+        }
     }
 
     // Fallback: ANY damage spell rather than waste the charge on basic attack