So when I got the hissho hero in game, it got me thinking, would it be possible to mod in a hissho, and potentally other ninor factions, into a major faction? the diplomacy screen would use the hero, and use some made up dialoge (or something from ES1), the tech could also be made up using various other tech art and new affects added (or just use various other factions tech) and the ships could be set to use the minor faction ships. Starting hero would of course be the only hissho/minor faction hero, and the starting population would use the already existing hissho pops. 

Is this idea feasible? 

The Idea is somewhat feasible, adding in new techs/building etc. for the hissho is perfectly doable and having them use minor faction ships should work, along with using the exsisting hero and pop.

But a new quest-line would need to be designed (or they just not have one?) 

And what about their faction affinity?

the +5% weapon damage on fleets and +15%FIDS per military victories (up to 4) just does not seem suitable (as it limits them to only be militarist)

While those issues can be solved there is one major issue (but only one) 

I do not think it will be easy to add in a new leader to repurpose the hero textures into a leader (if it is at all possible)

But I have not done any testing of my own on adding new leaders so it may in fact be easy to add a static image as a leader (as you can do with heroes)

I would suggest trying to find out if its possible to add a new leader in first as everything else can be done (it might take a bit of work though)

CyRob wrote:

But a new quest-line would need to be designed (or they just not have one?) 

And what about their faction affinity?

the +5% weapon damage on fleets and +15%FIDS per military victories (up to 4) just does not seem suitable (as it limits them to only be militarist)

A quest line might require some work (and art, which is the really tough part), but as it's already possible to mod quests it shouldn't be impossible.

If I may make a suggestion, OP, perhaps a growing bonus based on diplomatic relations? +2%/+3% (up to +10%/+15%) per turn of Dust and Science per Peace/Alliance, and +3% (up to +15%) Industry and Influence per War, encouraging the player to never betray allies and never forgive enemies, on their honor. Essentially the Diplomatic Chameleon trait, but with a bonus that needs time to grow like the new iteration of the Pacifists first law.

To be honest guys I have no idea how to mod this game, I was just excited about the possibility of more major factions based on minor factions. Main purpose of this post was to see if it was possible and maybe get some people with knowledge of how to mod this game to think about it.

ps: thank you very much for your thought out responses :)

It's not that hard to learn how to mod, No programming experience is required.

Start with looking at the guide in MANUAL FOR MODDING ENDLESS SPACE 2 and the example mods there,

And then make a little mod for yourself that only makes a small changes / or adds something small (a building for example).

I'll be happy to answer any questions regarding modding if you have any or need help you can ask them in this thread, or any thread in the modding sub forum or just send me a message.

(this goes for anyone else who has modding questions, I'll be happy to answer them)

Alright thanks, I think I will try :)

CyRob wrote:

And what about their faction affinity?

the +5% weapon damage on fleets and +15%FIDS per military victories (up to 4) just does not seem suitable (as it limits them to only be militarist)

Are faction affinities moddable? Is so, how much latitude is there for editing them or adding new ones?

Minor factions only having attacker and hunter ships could prove problematic I'd imagine (though I'm definitely not an expert here). I suppose it could be possible (though difficult) to design the faction around this weakness, though I'm not sure how it could be done for a militaristic faction like the Hissho.

Maybe you could get around this by using major faction ships, possibily with a reskin. For example, you could have the Sheredyn as a separate faction with UE ships, or maybe Mavros with reskinned Sophons ships.

That said, modding in a new major faction would be very cool to see, and I definitely wouldn't be opposed to seeing the Hissho return as a major faction in ES2.

IceGremlin wrote:

If I may make a suggestion, OP, perhaps a growing bonus based on diplomatic relations? +2%/+3% (up to +10%/+15%) per turn of Dust and Science per Peace/Alliance, and +3% (up to +15%) Industry and Influence per War, encouraging the player to never betray allies and never forgive enemies, on their honor. Essentially the Diplomatic Chameleon trait, but with a bonus that needs time to grow like the new iteration of the Pacifists first law.

I like the idea of diplomacy playing a major role for the Hissho. I suggested in another thread that the Hissho be given a bonus when they accept truces proposed by opponents and a penalty for breaking them. It's just a rough idea, but I definitely think making honor an important part of the faction, impacting how they approach warfare and diplomacy, could be potentially be quite interesting.

Everyone wants Hissho no love for Amoeba :( I guess they are good sport to watch in fighting pits

I'd backhand my mother for a playable Hissho faction