The idea is to straight up buff the "Criminal Heritage" civic, so that it's viable against AI and in MP. It was meant for coop play with friends but I wanted to share it, in case someone wanted something similar and also to improve the balancing. Since the mod changes Criminal Heritage, the DLC "Megacorp" is necessary but the "Nemesis" DLC is also recommended because most new buildings add buffs to espionage.
I'd love feedback for balancing and whatnot!

Regarding thePhoenix Update:
Fuck it, we ball. I updated things and did a few test runs. The game doesn't crash (because of the mod, I hope) and I changed most things. This update changed a lot to the base game, so most things the mod did originally are now removed, as they are in the base game. Don't forget, you can get up to 20 Base Crime if you get a trade agreement. But still, I thought it'd be nice to include it in case people wanted something extra. Some things were shuffled around and I'm still trying to see what can be improved with my current skills.

THE IMAGES ON TOP ARE OUT OF DATE. I'll (probably write things down in the description below.

IF THINGS BREAK, REPORT IT. If you have a better idea on how to realize things, say it. I'm off trying to enjoy the game again :D

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--New Branch Office Buildings:

Criminal Headquarters:
-Planet Modifier

• Corrupt Bureaucrat Jobs: +1
  
• (Crime: +35) Temporarily removed, for balance testing purposes
  
• Trade Value: +10
  
• Branch Office Tradevalue: +10
  

Xeno Relations Bureau

• Envoys: +0.5
  
• Codebreaking: +0.25
  
• Encryption: +0.25
  
• Trust Cap: -5
  

High Society Clubs:
-Planet Modifier

• Corrupt Entertainer Jobs: +1 per 100 Pops
  
• Worker Happiness: -5%
  
• Specialist Happiness: -5%
  

-Corporate Empire Modifier

• Infiltration Speed: +0.05
  
• Envoy Improve Relation: +0.1
  

Union-Busting Lawfirm:
-Planet Modifier

• Corrupt Lawyer Jobs: +1 per 100 Pops
  
• Worker Happiness: -10%
  

-Corporate Empire Modifier

• Infiltration Speed: +0.05
  
• Codebreaking: +0.25
  
• Encryption: +0.25
  

Unregulated Research Labs:
-Planet Modifier

• Corrupt Researcher Jobs: +1 per 100 Pops
  

-Corporate Empire Modifier

• Infiltration Speed: +0.05
  
• Codebreaking: +0.25
  
• Encryption: +0.25
  

Unregulated Factories:
-Planet Modifier

• Corrupt Manager Jobs: +1 per 100 Pops
  

-Corporate Empire Modifier

• Infiltration Speed: +0.05
  
• Codebreaking: +0.25
  
• Encryption: +0.25
  

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--New Jobs
Corrupt Bureaucrat:

• Enforcer on Planet:2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10
  
• Crime: +10
  
• Branch Office Tradevalue: +25
  

Corrupt Entertainer:

• Ruler Happiness: +10%
  
• Ruler Output: +5%
  

Corrupt Lawyer:

• Worker Pop Resource Output: +10%
  
• Worker Pop Happiness: -10%
  

Corrupt Researcher:

• Researcher Output: +10%
  

Corrupt Manager:

• Alloys/GC from Jobs: +10%
  
• Specialist Pop Happiness: -10%
  

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Additional Changes and Ideas:

What I wanted to buff as well, is the espionage part of the game. It's nothing great or particularly balanced, most buildings just flat out increase network build speed (which allows you to fire the missions more often) and the network max level (which give you a bigger pool for these missions and also better intel).

The last aspect of the mod are the buffs for the host planet of these branch offices. Most buildings (currently) give a hefty buff to the host planet (10% researcher output, 10% alloy/CG output, stuff like that). These buffs are there to balance it's effectiveness against the AI but also to make them more attractive for other players. To balance all of this out a bit more, the buildings are pretty expensive to build and their upkeep is also nothing to laugh at, although the buffs should be more than worth it.

Since this mod buffs a small part of the espionage gameplay, I recommend the following mods to enhance that aspect of the game:
Expanded Diplomacy and Espionage
Stage a coup
Other Stuff

A collection with all of my current mods, works well together if you want to play a spy-focused game.


For some of the icons, I'd like to thank Tom Stone and his collection of free assets over at https://github.com/quetzatcoatl/Stellaris-Moding-Assets