Pretty sure division is set on highest GP ever for exactly this reason. They don't want people sandbagging and going down a division just by moving mods around.
Being at the bottom of a division's GP range will generally get you easier opponents than being at the top of one.
Except top of div 3 was infinitely easier for me then it was moving into bottom of div 2, more teams needed.
That transition went pretty smoothly for my Alt last year. 12/12 when at the top of div. 3 followed by 11/12 when at the bottom of div. 2. Yes, the number of defensive slots increases but it's the same for everyone. That alt also just made it to div. 1 this current GAC and I didn't notice it until a couple of rounds in. 4/4 so far and hit Chromium by the end of the first GA.
In my experience moving up a division is not such big a deal as some seem to believe it is.
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You also need to be below the threshold when the GAC launches, as that is when divisions are set.
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But by the time you hit division 2 you really ought to be ready for it.
That transition went pretty smoothly for my Alt last year. 12/12 when at the top of div. 3 followed by 11/12 when at the bottom of div. 2. Yes, the number of defensive slots increases but it's the same for everyone. That alt also just made it to div. 1 this current GAC and I didn't notice it until a couple of rounds in. 4/4 so far and hit Chromium by the end of the first GA.
In my experience moving up a division is not such big a deal as some seem to believe it is.