Understanding “Praise the Message” in Elden Ring: A Tarnished’s Guide

In the vast and unforgiving world of Elden Ring, communication is key, even if it’s just leaving cryptic notes for fellow adventurers. “Praise the message,” or rather, appraising a message as “Good,” is an in-game mechanic that allows players to commend helpful (or sometimes hilarious) messages left by others. When a message receives a “Good” appraisal, the author is instantly granted a small HP boost, effectively acting as a free, mini-heal. This seemingly simple act fosters a sense of community and encourages players to contribute to the shared experience of navigating the Lands Between. It transforms solitary exploration into a collective effort, rewarding helpfulness and ingenuity with a tangible, life-saving benefit.

Why Praise Messages? The Benefits of Goodwill

The concept of praising messages in Elden Ring isn’t merely a nice gesture; it’s an integral part of the game’s unique asynchronous multiplayer system. Here’s a deeper dive into why it matters:

• Health Regeneration: The primary benefit is the instant HP boost the message author receives. In a game where resources are precious and death lurks around every corner, this sudden surge of vitality can be the difference between triumph and demise.

• Encourages Helpful Messages: Knowing that your insightful tips or witty observations can directly benefit other players incentivizes the creation of useful and creative messages. This leads to a richer, more engaging experience for everyone.

• Creates a Sense of Community: The message system fosters a feeling of connection between players, even though they never directly interact. The act of praising a message acknowledges another player’s contribution and reinforces the shared struggle of overcoming Elden Ring’s challenges.

• Navigational Assistance: Many messages serve as warnings about upcoming dangers, point out hidden paths, or offer strategic advice for boss encounters. Praising accurate and helpful messages elevates their visibility, making them more likely to assist other players.

• Humor and Lightheartedness: Elden Ring can be a relentlessly bleak game. Messages often provide moments of levity, offering humorous observations or clever puns that break the tension and remind players that they’re not alone in their struggles.

How to Praise (and Curse) Messages

The process is straightforward:

1. Find a Message: Messages appear as glowing orange apparitions scattered throughout the game world.
2. Interact with the Message: Approach the message and press the interact button (typically the A button on Xbox, X button on PlayStation, or E key on PC).
3. Appraise the Message: You’ll be presented with two options: “Appraise (Good)” and “Appraise (Bad).” Select “Appraise (Good)” to praise the message and grant the author the HP boost. Choosing “Appraise (Bad)” does the opposite, though its immediate effect is less pronounced.

It is important to choose wisely, as there is a penalty applied to praising messages that get downvoted later, so be mindful of the “Liar ahead” messages.

The Nuances of the Message System

While the core mechanics are simple, the message system has some interesting nuances:

• Message Visibility: The more appraisals a message receives, the more likely it is to appear to other players. This creates a natural filtering system, highlighting messages that are generally considered helpful or entertaining.

• Message Limits: There are limitations on how many messages a player can leave, encouraging them to be thoughtful about their placements and content.

• Template System: The message creation tool uses a template system with pre-selected words and phrases, allowing players to communicate effectively without the need for extensive typing.

• Strategic Deception: Not all messages are created equal. Some players intentionally leave misleading or false information to trick unsuspecting adventurers. Be wary of messages that seem too good to be true!

• Context is Key: The effectiveness of a message often depends on its context. A message pointing out a hidden path near a challenging boss might be far more valuable than a generic warning about enemies.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into Elden Ring’s Message System

1. Does praising a message cost me anything?

No. Appraising a message as “Good” or “Bad” is completely free. It doesn’t consume any resources or impact your character in any way.

2. How much health does a “Good” appraisal restore?

The amount of health restored is equivalent to one Flask of Crimson Tears, but applied directly to the HP bar without consuming a flask. The exact amount will vary depending on your character’s Vitality stat and flask upgrades.

3. Can I praise my own messages?

No. You cannot appraise your own messages. The system is designed to rely on the contributions of other players.

4. What happens if a message gets more “Bad” appraisals than “Good” appraisals?

Messages with a significantly negative rating are less likely to appear to other players and may eventually disappear entirely. The game prioritizes messages that are generally considered helpful or entertaining.

5. Can I see who praised my message?

No. The message system is anonymous. You can see the number of “Good” and “Bad” appraisals your messages have received, but you cannot identify the specific players who rated them.

6. Are there rewards for having highly praised messages?

While there aren’t explicit rewards beyond the health regeneration, having highly praised messages can lead to more frequent health boosts, as your messages will be seen by more players.

7. Can I turn off the message system?

Yes. If you find the messages distracting or annoying, you can disable online play in the game settings. This will prevent messages from appearing in your world. The article suggests that to disable messages in Elden Ring, the only way to do so is to completely turn off your online connection in the game.

8. How do I create a message?

You need the Tarnished’s Wizened Finger item, which is obtained early in the game. Equip the item and use it to access the message creation menu.

9. What are the limitations of the message creation system?

The message creation system uses a template system with pre-selected words and phrases. You cannot type free-form messages. This limitation is in place to ensure that messages are generally understandable and to prevent offensive content.

10. Are messages cross-platform?

No. Messages are platform-specific. Players on PlayStation cannot see messages left by players on Xbox or PC.

11. What’s the deal with messages that say “Liar ahead”?

These messages are typically left in response to misleading or false messages. They serve as a warning to other players that the information provided in the original message is unreliable.

12. How can I tell if a message is trustworthy?

There’s no foolproof way to guarantee the accuracy of a message. Pay attention to the message’s context, the surrounding environment, and the number of “Good” and “Bad” appraisals it has received. When in doubt, trust your instincts.

13. Do messages affect enemy behavior or the game world?

No. Messages are purely cosmetic. They do not affect enemy behavior or alter the game world in any way.

14. Can I report offensive messages?

Yes. There is a report function that allows you to flag offensive or inappropriate messages for review by the developers.

15. How does the message system contribute to the overall Elden Ring experience?

The message system enhances the Elden Ring experience by fostering a sense of community, providing navigational assistance, and adding moments of humor and lightheartedness to a challenging and often bleak game world. It embodies the concept of shared discovery and collaborative problem-solving, transforming solitary exploration into a collective endeavor. You can learn more about the collaborative aspects of gaming through resources provided by organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

In conclusion, “Praise the message” is more than just a simple action; it’s a fundamental aspect of Elden Ring’s unique asynchronous multiplayer system, offering a vital lifeline to struggling Tarnished and fostering a sense of camaraderie in the face of overwhelming adversity. So, the next time you encounter a helpful or humorous message in the Lands Between, don’t hesitate to show your appreciation. You might just save a life!