Paralysis is nerfed because players missing turns does not feel good. I understand that. there are a couple solutions:That’s the problem. It doesn’t feel dangerous.
Where’s the danger when you are invisible 99% of the time in an underdark campaign? Or
Can bypass most simple traps with a cantrip spell?
When any ill you receive is gone after a nights sleep? That’s not danger that’s a walk in the park.
Instead of paralysis, you could have ongoing damage plus disadvantage or maybe even a slow effect. PCs still get to act but the ghoul effect is still dangerous and bad.
Alternatively, this is one we have toyed with and is meta but also fun: allow PLAYERS to perform the AID action when their character is not otherwise available (down, not in the combat, paralyzed, etc...) The player gets to describe a scene element that would benefit the acting PC and the acting PC in turn gets advantage. We have discussed but not implemented expanding the idea to allowing scene elements that emulate basic attacks and cantrip effects as long as the player justifies it.