A set of blocks of a memory device comprising a plurality of dies is identified. A block within the set of blocks is identified. The identified block is associated with a capability metric that reflects a projected reliability of the die on which the block resides. Responsive to determining that the capability metric satisfies a condition, a cycle threshold associated with the die is identified. Responsive to determining that a cycle count value derived from a program/erase cycle counter associated with the die matches the cycle threshold, the set of blocks is updated by excluding the block from the set of blocks. A program operation is performed with respect to the updated set of blocks.