diff --git a/scripts/hv-unified.user.js b/scripts/hv-unified.user.js
index 2ab5c74..ddc8dc9 100644
--- a/scripts/hv-unified.user.js
+++ b/scripts/hv-unified.user.js
@@ -969,6 +969,11 @@ function strategyNovice() {
         const ib = castInitialBuffs();
         if (ib) return ib;
     }
+    // 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;
+    }
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.2 && hasSpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
@@ -1084,6 +1089,11 @@ function strategyAdept() {
         const ib = castInitialBuffs();
         if (ib) return ib;
     }
+    // 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;
+    }
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.2 && hasSpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
@@ -1212,6 +1222,11 @@ function strategyVeteran() {
             const ib = castInitialBuffs();
             if (ib) return ib;
         }
+        // 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;
+        }
         for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
             if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.2 && hasSpell(b.spell)) {
                 if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
@@ -3269,11 +3284,6 @@ function initializeBattle() {
         const vobs = new MutationObserver(() => {
             parseBattleState();
             logRound(); // Also log on vitals changes (catches end-of-round)
-            // Auto-execute strategy even without hover — for auto-battle
-            if (CFG.hoverEnabled && !STATE.interruptHover && !STATE.interruptAlert) {
-                const a = getSmartAction();
-                if (a) executeAction(a);
-            }
             refreshUI();
             updateConfigButton();
             // Check if battle ended (completion pane appeared)
diff --git a/scripts/latest.user.js b/scripts/latest.user.js
index 2ab5c74..ddc8dc9 100644
--- a/scripts/latest.user.js
+++ b/scripts/latest.user.js
@@ -969,6 +969,11 @@ function strategyNovice() {
         const ib = castInitialBuffs();
         if (ib) return ib;
     }
+    // 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;
+    }
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.2 && hasSpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
@@ -1084,6 +1089,11 @@ function strategyAdept() {
         const ib = castInitialBuffs();
         if (ib) return ib;
     }
+    // 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;
+    }
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.2 && hasSpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
@@ -1212,6 +1222,11 @@ function strategyVeteran() {
             const ib = castInitialBuffs();
             if (ib) return ib;
         }
+        // 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;
+        }
         for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
             if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.2 && hasSpell(b.spell)) {
                 if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
@@ -3269,11 +3284,6 @@ function initializeBattle() {
         const vobs = new MutationObserver(() => {
             parseBattleState();
             logRound(); // Also log on vitals changes (catches end-of-round)
-            // Auto-execute strategy even without hover — for auto-battle
-            if (CFG.hoverEnabled && !STATE.interruptHover && !STATE.interruptAlert) {
-                const a = getSmartAction();
-                if (a) executeAction(a);
-            }
             refreshUI();
             updateConfigButton();
             // Check if battle ended (completion pane appeared)
diff --git a/src/init.js b/src/init.js
index 633ba4c..d87b1fb 100644
--- a/src/init.js
+++ b/src/init.js
@@ -85,11 +85,6 @@ function initializeBattle() {
         const vobs = new MutationObserver(() => {
             parseBattleState();
             logRound(); // Also log on vitals changes (catches end-of-round)
-            // Auto-execute strategy even without hover — for auto-battle
-            if (CFG.hoverEnabled && !STATE.interruptHover && !STATE.interruptAlert) {
-                const a = getSmartAction();
-                if (a) executeAction(a);
-            }
             refreshUI();
             updateConfigButton();
             // Check if battle ended (completion pane appeared)
diff --git a/src/strategy-engine.js b/src/strategy-engine.js
index cf4653c..7a66a37 100644
--- a/src/strategy-engine.js
+++ b/src/strategy-engine.js
@@ -321,6 +321,11 @@ function strategyNovice() {
         const ib = castInitialBuffs();
         if (ib) return ib;
     }
+    // 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;
+    }
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.2 && hasSpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
@@ -436,6 +441,11 @@ function strategyAdept() {
         const ib = castInitialBuffs();
         if (ib) return ib;
     }
+    // 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;
+    }
     for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
         if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.2 && hasSpell(b.spell)) {
             if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;
@@ -564,6 +574,11 @@ function strategyVeteran() {
             const ib = castInitialBuffs();
             if (ib) return ib;
         }
+        // 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;
+        }
         for (const b of BUFF_PRIORITY) {
             if (shouldBuff(b.icon, b.minTurns) && STATE.mp > 0.2 && hasSpell(b.spell)) {
                 if (b.icon === 'regen' && STATE.hp >= CFG.cureRegenHP) continue;