DEPLOYMENT CLEARANCE BRIEFING // TIMING & ELIGIBILITY PROTOCOL
Migration Timing, Eligibility & Season 5 Changes in Last Z: Survival Shooter
Most failed migrations aren't caused by weak accounts — they're caused by a single overlooked technical requirement or a misjudged timing window. This guide is the final checklist: the exact eligibility conditions that block a move, when migration windows actually open, and what Season 5's new server grouping system changes about the whole process.
The Full Eligibility Checklist
Every single one of these must be true before the migrate button will work. Miss one, and the interface locks outright:
Valid entry path
An accepted invitation or application, or Regular-tier status during Phase 3 with an open slot.
Headquarters level requirement
Your HQ typically needs to be around level 20 or higher — check the exact number in-game before assuming you qualify.
Headquarters must be idle
No active combat, no outgoing troops. Recall every gatherer, reinforcement, and scout before attempting the move.
Not a President
Step down from any Presidential role first — a sitting President cannot migrate.
Not currently in an alliance
Leave your alliance before attempting the move — this is the single most commonly forgotten step.
Haven't already migrated this cycle
One move per migration event, no exceptions.
30-day cooldown between migrations
Once you migrate successfully, you're locked out of migrating again for 30 days — plan any second move accordingly.
When Does Migration Actually Open?
Migration becomes available in the gap between seasons, first appearing after Season 2 and recurring after each subsequent season. It isn't a permanent, always-on feature — windows are limited and staggered by server group. As one documented example, the 49–64 server group saw its migration window run from the 10th to the 17th of the month, but different server groups can run on entirely different schedules. Always confirm your specific group's live dates in-game rather than assuming another group's timing applies to you.
What Season 5 Changed
Larger Server Groups
Season 5 introduced a new grouping system combining up to 64 states into a single competitive group, reducing the power gap between older and newer servers and creating more balanced matchmaking for PvP and migration alike.
Structured, Limited Windows
Free-roam migration whenever you like is gone. Migration now happens during defined windows designed to prevent last-minute state stacking before major war events.
Tighter High-Tier Compression
Flourishing and Semi-Open (top-performing) states compress their high-tier quotas further — in documented examples, Advanced slots dropped from 5 to 3 and Elite slots dropped to zero, while Medium and Regular quotas stayed unchanged.
The practical effect: if you're Advanced or Elite tier and eyeing a top-performing state, Season 5 makes that harder, not easier. Regular and Medium players retain most of their flexibility, since their quotas are largely protected from this compression.
Why Migrations Actually Fail
Documented failure analysis consistently points to the same handful of causes — almost never raw account weakness:
| Failure Cause | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|
| Inadequate pass accumulation | Didn't save enough Migration Passes to meet your tier's requirement |
| Misjudged score mechanics | Assumed stripping gear or troops right before the event would lower the tier — it doesn't |
| Missed the timing window | Started preparing after the migration window opened instead of weeks before |
| Ignored hard access conditions | Still in an alliance, HQ in combat, or outgoing troops not recalled |
| Targeted an exhausted quota | Aimed for a Flourishing State's Elite or Advanced slot after it had already dropped to zero |
Video Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What Headquarters level do I need to migrate?
Typically around HQ level 20 or higher, though you should confirm the exact requirement in-game since it can vary by server group and season.
How long is the cooldown between migrations?
30 days after a successful migration before you're eligible to migrate again.
Does every server group have the same migration schedule?
No. Migration windows are staggered by server group. Always check your specific group's dates in-game rather than assuming another group's timing applies to you.
How did Season 5 change migration?
It introduced larger server groups (up to 64 states), moved migration to structured limited windows instead of free-roam access, and further tightened high-tier slot quotas in Flourishing and Semi-Open states.
Can destroying troops or lowering my power right before migration help?
No. This is one of the most common causes of failed migration planning — the score reflects your account's historical development, not a real-time snapshot.
Final Thoughts
Nearly every migration failure traces back to timing or a technical eligibility condition, not raw account power. Know your server group's specific window, clear every eligibility requirement early, and treat the 30-day cooldown as part of your long-term planning if you're considering more than one move. Combined with the rest of this series, you now have the full picture — tiers, passes, state selection, and timing — to make your next migration a controlled decision instead of a scramble.
