delete

I wonder if the best idea would be graduate people at level 85 to a global shard. Have the top xk of all players get rewards above the current 1st place (growing slowly). If your shard has been diminished in numbers by graduates top place can be reduced progressively. Once you graduate into the global shard you start at the bottom and work your way up.

Possibly instead you could have it that once you get a gear xii piece you graduate into the global shard.

Possibly make it optional you can stay in your current shard as rewards fall as people hit 85k and graduate to the global shard.