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.
Compare the copied content, not just the appearance
The native example copies ordinary letters surrounded by asterisks. Discord interprets those markers in a supported message context. The Unicode example copies different letter characters and does not require interpretation of asterisks. They can look similar on screen while behaving differently in search, character counting and other apps.