You’re trekking through the Royal Waterways, ears ringing with the sound of dripping pipes and whatever those horrible fluke-monsters are, and then you hear it. A booming, joyous laugh. “DOMA! DOMA! DOMA!” Out of the filth bursts a beetle who is way too happy to be living in a sewer.
The Dung Defender is a vibe shift.
Honestly, in a game where everyone is either depressed, dying, or trying to eat your face, Ogrim—the guy’s actual name—is a breath of fresh air. Even if that air smells like, well, you know. He’s not just some joke boss though. He’s arguably the most loyal character in the entire game, a tragic remnant of a kingdom that forgot him.
Who Exactly Is Ogrim?
Most players just call him the Dung Defender and move on after getting the charm. But he was actually one of the Five Great Knights of Hallownest. He stood alongside legends like Fierce Drya and Kindly Isma. While the others died or disappeared when the infection hit, Ogrim stayed at his post.
He's guarding the pump system in the Waterways, but more importantly, he’s guarding the path to Isma’s Grove. It’s pretty heavily implied they were close—maybe even more than friends. If you listen to his dream dialogue, he calls out her name. It’s kind of heartbreaking. He’s been down there for years, making statues of his old friends out of dung because it’s the only material he has.
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Loyalty is his whole thing. He doesn't even realize the King is long gone.
Beating the Dung Defender Without Breaking a Sweat
If you’re struggling with the fight, you’re probably overthinking it. He’s more about rhythm than raw reflexes. He lobs dung balls that bounce around the arena. You can actually hit these back like a game of tennis. It’s hilarious and surprisingly effective.
The Desolate Dive Trick
This is the "secret" most people miss. When he dives underground and starts swimming around like a dolphin, don't just run. Use Desolate Dive or Descending Dark right on top of him. It shocks him out of the ground and leaves him flailing on his back.
He’s completely vulnerable for a few seconds. Go ham with the nail.
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Dealing with the Frenzy
Once his health gets low, he screams and goes into a bit of a panic. He’ll bounce around the room like a pinball. Just stay in a corner or time your dashes. He isn't trying to hit you specifically; he’s just moving fast. Use a long-reach charm like Mark of Pride so you don't have to get uncomfortably close to his... projectiles.
The Secret "White Defender" Rematch
Think you're done after the first fight? Nope. If you go back to his arena after defeating the three Dreamers, you’ll find a hidden floor right under the lever he was guarding. Use your dive spell to break through.
You’ll find Ogrim sleeping.
Dream Nail him, and you enter a fight with the White Defender. This is Ogrim in his prime. He’s faster, hits for two masks of damage, and the music is an absolute banger. You can actually fight this version of him five times, and he gets harder every single time.
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If you manage to beat him all five times, he finally wakes up and realizes you’re a true hero. He even makes a little dung statue of the Knight. It’s the highest honor a dung beetle can bestow.
Why the Defender's Crest Is Better Than You Think
The reward for the base fight is the Defender's Crest. Most people ignore it because the damage cloud is weak. That's a mistake.
- Dialogue: Wearing it changes how NPCs talk to you. Elderbug gets offended by the smell. Relic Seeker Lemm won't even talk to you.
- The Leg Eater Discount: This is the big one. If you wear the crest while talking to Leg Eater in the Fungal Wastes, he gives you a massive discount on his fragile charms because he thinks you’re "one of them."
- Synergy: Combine it with the Spore Shroud charm. It turns your healing cloud into a massive toxic explosion. It’s not meta, but it’s fun for clearing out small mobs.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of lore videos suggest Ogrim is infected because of the orange clouds during his fight. He isn't. That’s just the "essence" of his chosen weapon. He’s one of the few characters in Hallownest with his mind completely intact. He’s just incredibly lonely.
When you finally leave him for the last time, and his statue is there waiting for you, it feels like the end of an era. He's a reminder that even in a fallen world, honor still matters. Even if it's covered in poop.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Run:
- Use Descending Dark when he's underground to stun him instantly.
- Visit Leg Eater with the Defender's Crest equipped to save hundreds of Geo on charms.
- Don't forget to check the basement under his arena for the King's Idol and the White Defender entrance.
- If you're going for the 112% completion, remember that the White Defender counts towards your Pantheon progress later on.