Two things.
I would completely remove modifiers from Conquest. Remember, we have a mode with modifiers and it is called Galactic Challenge. But why use the same concept in different mode? I would rather play with my datadisks and try different strategies - i don´t want to bother with sometimes insane modifiers like Galactic Republic. It would be more fun to complete feasts that way and not so grindy.
Also, i would completely remove GL from normal mode - even if there will be some easy mode later. GL are highly end game material and only the best should compete with them. I have quite high GP (nearly 3,7 mil), several relic teams and coudn´t beat the 4th sector boss, because i simply don´t have a good counter or another GL - and some of my guildmates with even higher GP had the same problem.
I really don´t think, that a new exciting mode like this should be only for long-term players, this is also a chance to bring new fans to the game. And they don´t want to watch it on YouTube, they want to try it for themselfs and feel good when they manage to win.