First off, I semi-apologize for "yet another bloodworm thread", but I wanted to try to pull out some points that I had seen mentioned in the various other threads.

There have been a lot of threads around about Bloodworms, and issues and possible fixes... I just wanted to try to create a thread that explicitly calls out the various "issues" (or potential issues) that people see with them, and possible solutions.

The issues:

1) High spawn rate -> Overpowered
2) Uncontrollable (random) spawns
3) No aggressive/defensive/passive setting
4) No way to "cancel" them

Details:
#1 was (at least partially) addressed this last push, but we'll see exactly how it plays out in testing
#2 was technically made "worse" with the last push -- but randomness may be what the devs want for this ability(?)
#3 can get you killed/wiped, and needs to be addressed
#4 covers #3 partially, but there are times when you will need to cancel all attacks on a boss (even something like Hungarfen in Underbog)

Some possible answers:
1,2) Make Bloodworms an activated ability with a cooldown and perhaps RP cost
3,4) Make Bloodworms a debuff on the target that acts as a leech
3,4) Make Bloodworms a buff on the DK that acts as a HoT
3,4) Give Bloodworms some sort of "pet bar" even if it only has a "demeanor" setting (and a dismiss)
*) Completely change bloodworms into some other effect that heals the DK (ether instant, or over time, or whatever). Example: free DeathStrike that has no rune cost

TO be honest, I sort of like the little guys -- it gives a little more flavor to the DK, and is something other than just "Oh, a HoT, let me dispel/purge it"... yes, most classes can AoE them, but given the changes to downranking spells, it will no longer be a "cheap" thing to kill. (And they have more than 5HP, anyway ;))

This is why I like the idea of changing bloodworms to an activated ability, and giving them a neutered pet bar (just a demeanor setting and a dismiss). I had suggested this, in another post:

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Q u o t e:
I like the idea of bloodworms, I'm just still debating if a random-proc ability is better, or an activated ability is better.

Randomness adds a large "luck factor" to things, and while that can add variety, it also can add frustration ;-)

Maybe give ALL DKs bloodworms as an activated ability (either free, or like 20RP) on a modest (2-3min?) cooldown, and place a talent in the blood tree that both adds a chance to proc form melee (less than it is now), as well as lower the cooldown on the activated ability to 1min... and perhaps more bloodworms w/ the talent (say, 1-2 base -- ramping up to 3-5 when maxed out?)

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Anyway, just my $0.02.

If people respond with other ideas (or point out some I've missed), I'll update this post as best I can.

-T

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{Duman,Hardal,Huzur,Toprak,Savash} @ Gilneas on live
Paladin, Rogue, Priest, Shaman, Warrior

We'd like to solve the aggro issues first and then evaluate the spell.

We don't want to link it to Death Strike again, because then Death Strike is either weak in the absence of Bloodworms, or OP with it.

With the big death knight revamp, the class plays a lot smoother overall. But some players have a higher tolerance for random events and miss a little of the chaos of the older DK. Bloodworms is the kind of talent that's for players who like to be surprised. (But I don't mean surprised because the maggots go and pull the boss before you're ready.)