Been playing through Hollow Knight finally. I also love the aesthetic of Dung Beetle Knight in Kingdom Death. Why are dung beetles so cool?

The original concept of this played a bit more with +1/+1 counters. It went something along the lines of this: >, : Remove all +1/+1 counters on ~. It deals that much damage plus one to target player. Then he or she creates a colorless artifact token named Dung Ball with that many +1/+1 counters on it plus one. It has "Whenever a creature named Dung Defender attacks, move all +1/+1 counters on this onto that creature, then sacrifice this."

Basically, you chucked dung at them for damage, with a snowbally effect where you alternated attacking them and chucking dung at them for maximum damage. Or, in response to removal, a dung ball which other dung bros could pick up for the +1/+1 counters that were on this. The +1/+1 counters would be stored on an artifact, so an opponent could remove the artifact to disrupt your plans and force you to start over again. The targeted player created the dung ball under their control so you could take your token out of your box and then chuck it at them if they didn't have a token handy, for maximum flavor. You could also chuck the dice representing the +1/+1 counters at them, too.

But that obviously ended up a bit too wordy.

Wouldn't it be cool if the Dung Balls were a bit more modular?

...

> "Create a colorless artifact token named Dung Ball with 'Whenever a creature you control attacks, sacrifice this and put a +1/+1 counter on an attacking creature.'"

Other than that already a neat design. Quite reminiscent of flinging Squirrels/Acorns at opponents.