1. A method comprises: receiving a data retrieval request; determining a read threshold number of dispersed storage (DS) units of a DS unit storage set in response to the data retrieval request; sending read request messages to the read threshold number of DS units; entering a loop, wherein the loop includes: receiving encoded data slices within a time period to produce received encoded data slices; when the number of received encoded data slices compares unfavorably to a decode threshold number: determining an incremental number of encoded data slices as at least one of: the difference between the decode threshold number and the number of received encoded data slices; the difference between the read threshold number and the number of received encoded data slices; and the difference between a pillar width number and the number of received encoded data slices; determining an incremental number of DS units of the DS unit storage set; sending a read request message to each of the incremental number of DS units; and repeating the loop; and when the number of received encoded data slices compares favorably to the decode threshold number of encoded data slices, exiting the loop; and dispersed storage error decoding the received encoded data slices to produce data.