Systems and methods for storing encoded data slices in a dispersed storage network (DSN) involve receiving a write data object request, determining a source name for the data object, identifying a source name range corresponding to the source name, and identifying a storage pattern associated with the source name range. Based on the source name range, a set of DS units can be identified as affinity DS units that correspond to the storage pattern. The data object is encoded to produce encoded affinity data slices which are output to the affinity DS units. A determination is made that an encoded data slice was improperly stored. One or more other encoded data slices corresponding to the data object may then be output to one or more DS units of the set of units other than the affinity DS units.