1. A method comprises: encoding data into a plurality of sets of encoded data slices in accordance with first error coding dispersal storage function parameters; determining priority data segments of the data; encoding the priority data segments in accordance with second error coding dispersal storage function parameters to produce a plurality of sets of priority encoded data slices, wherein the first error coding dispersal storage function parameters include a first pillar width and a first decode threshold optimized for data recovery speed and non-optimal for data recovery reliability and the second error coding dispersal storage function parameters include a second pillar width and a second decode threshold optimized for data recovery reliability and non-optimal for data recovery speed; and outputting the plurality of sets of encoded data slices and the plurality of sets of priority encoded data slices to a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory for storage therein.