Use Markdown for ordinary messages
In Discord messages, *hello* or _hello_ applies italic formatting. **hello** makes text bold, while ***hello*** combines bold and italic. Native formatting keeps ordinary letters underneath, making it a useful first choice when the message field supports it.
Use Unicode when the field needs actual characters
Unicode styling changes the characters themselves. You can try pasting it into a profile field that accepts those characters, without relying on Markdown formatting. Acceptance varies by field; do not assume that a username or another restricted identifier will allow the same text as a message.
Keep server information easy to read
Use plain text for rules, channel instructions and information people need to search or quote. For a decorative greeting, keep the styled portion short. If the text looks crowded or shows missing characters, switch to a simpler style or use Markdown in a supported message field.