What happens when you hug Elden Ring?

In the world of Elden Ring, there’s a character known as Fia, the Deathbed Companion, who offers to hug you. This might seem like a simple, comforting gesture in a game filled with battles and challenges, but it comes with both benefits and drawbacks.

When you accept Fia’s offer for a hug, you receive an item called Baldachin’s Blessing. This is a consumable item that uses 20 FP (Focus Points) to buff your Poise stat for about ten seconds. The Poise stat determines how likely it is that an enemy’s attacks will stagger you, breaking your defense and leaving you stunned and vulnerable.

Normally, heavy armor buffs your Poise, which leaves less robust classes such as Astrologers and Confessors at a slight disadvantage. So, using Baldachin’s Blessing at the right time can give you an edge against tough foes without having to suffer the consequences.

However, accepting Fia’s hug also comes with a drawback. A red square with a downwards pointing arrow appears below your health and FP bars, indicating a reduction in your maximum HP by 5%. This might seem like a small reduction, but it can make a difference in challenging encounters, especially during boss fights.

The good news is that this debuff isn’t permanent. You can regain your health by using the Baldachin’s Blessing. So, whether or not you should let Fia hug you depends on your playstyle and the specific circumstances you find yourself in while playing Elden Ring.

If you’re a shield-focused character about to go into a boss fight, the benefits of the hug might outweigh the temporary reduction in health. But if you’re a player who values having maximum health at all times, you might choose to decline Fia’s offer.

In conclusion, the choice to hug Fia in Elden Ring is a strategic one, adding another layer of depth to the game’s rich and complex world. Whether you choose to accept or decline her offer, it’s just one of many decisions you’ll make in your journey through the Lands Between.