Korako 'The Rabbit' Kosakami, Gurista leader, has a particular love for stealing the Caldari's ship designs, souping them up, and turning them on their creators. With the Worm, he has taken the Merlin design so familiar to Caldari pilots and turned it into a defensive powerhouse capable of firing its volleys at terrifying speeds.
The worm is a strange cross between the Hawk and the Ishkur. It takes a similar slot layout to the hawk (3/4/3 with 2 launchers) along with the hawk's missile range bonus and combines it with the drone capabilities of the Ishkur, with 5 light drones and room in the bay for a second flight. In exchange the worm's 2 launchers receive no damage bonus, meaning they really are just 2 launchers. Finally, the worm receives a shield resist bonus putting it on par with most assault frigates in terms of tank. The Worm is also an amazing dance move that few Capsuleers can pull off well.
The combined damage output of the worm's drones and missiles is fairly low for a faction frigate - the missiles contribute very little without a damage bonus. The flexibility of the drones however allows the worm to apply damage from whatever range it wishes, and this convenience is worth quite a lot.
In general, the worm should be an easier opponent than the Ishkur. The tank is comparable (although likely to be more buffer than active), but its damage output is considerably lower. Thanks to its resist bonus and the cheapness of shield resist rigs, choice of damage type isn't that important (thermal will probably be lowest after an EM rig is added). If in doubt, killing the drones will remove 75% of the worm's damage output - assuming you can chew through two flights of drones before they chew through you of course!
Source: http://altruist.azual.co.uk/2011/07/know-your-enemy-faction-frigates.html
Gallente Frigate Skill Bonuses (Per Skill Level):
Caldari Frigate Skill Bonuses (Per Skill Level):
Role Bonus:
[Worm, Nul-sec Solo PvP] Rocket Launcher II Rocket Launcher II Rocket Launcher II Republic Fleet Medium Shield Extender Republic Fleet Medium Shield Extender Warp Scrambler II 5MN Y-T8 Compact Microwarpdrive Damage Control II Navy Micro Auxiliary Power Core Small Core Defense Field Extender II Small Core Defense Field Extender II Small Core Defense Field Extender II Hobgoblin II x3 Warrior II x2 Inferno Rage Rocket x400 Caldari Navy Inferno Rocket x500 Nanite Repair Paste x150
[Worm, Low-sec Solo PvP WIki(2)] Rocket Launcher II Rocket Launcher II Rocket Launcher II Warp Scrambler II X5 Enduring Stasis Webifier Caldari Navy Medium Shield Extender 1MN Y-S8 Compact Afterburner Drone Damage Amplifier II Damage Control II Small EM Shield Reinforcer II Small Core Defense Field Extender II Small Core Defense Field Extender II Acolyte II x1 Hobgoblin II x2 Warrior II x2
[Worm, Active shield PvE] Rocket Launcher II Rocket Launcher II Rocket Launcher II Stasis Webifier II 1MN Afterburner II Shield Boost Amplifier II Pithi C-Type Small Shield Booster Capacitor Power Relay II Drone Damage Amplifier II Small Capacitor Control Circuit II Small EM Shield Reinforcer II Small Thermal Shield Reinforcer II Warrior II x2 Acolyte II x1 Hobgoblin II x2 Inferno Rocket x1