You know, after all these years since Elden Ring first dropped, I still think the gesture system is one of the coolest, most underappreciated features. It’s not just about waving hello or bowing after a duel (though that’s part of the charm, for sure). For me, gestures are the silent language of the Lands Between. They’re how we, as players, talk to each other without saying a word, share a moment of triumph, or even unlock secrets the game doesn’t spell out. It’s like… the game’s own little emoji system, but with way more depth and consequences. Let me walk you through why I think they’re so awesome, especially now in 2026, with all the community knowledge we’ve built up.

The Two Lives of a Gesture: Talking and Unlocking

Gestures wear two hats, and honestly, I love them for both.

First, there’s the social side. Whether I’m summoning a friend for a tough boss or getting invaded by some random player (who I may or may not defeat with style), a gesture sets the tone. A simple my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-0 Wave or a polite my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-1 Polite Bow can be a friendly "hello." After a helper absolutely carries me through a fight, a heartfelt my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-2 My Thanks or an excited my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-3 Bravo! feels just right. On the flip side, if someone’s being a bit of a troll… well, let’s just say the my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-4 Point Downwards gesture has earned its… reputation. It’s all about unspoken vibes, you know?

Then, there’s the puzzle-solving, secret-finding side. This is where gestures go from fun to functional. The game loves to hide things behind specific actions in specific places. It’s not always obvious, but when you figure it out? Oh man, it’s the best feeling. You might need to my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-5 Prayer at a forgotten altar or perform an my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-6 Erudition pose in front of a wise statue to make a hidden path appear. It makes the world feel alive and mysterious, like it’s waiting for you to learn its rituals.

My Handy Gesture Categories (A Tarnished’s Perspective)

With so many gestures, I like to sort them in my head. Here’s my personal breakdown:

Category What It’s For My Go-To Examples
Greetings & Manners Starting things off right. The basics of Tarnished etiquette. Wave, Bow, Casual Greeting, Polite Bow
Reactions & Emotions For those big moments. Victory, despair, or just chilling. my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-7 Jump for Joy, my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-8 Dejection, my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-9 Rest
Communication & Direction Pointing things out or trying to get a message across. Super useful in co-op. Point Forwards, Point Upwards, Wait!, Beckon
Oaths & Power Swearing allegiance or buffing yourself. These often have lore weight. By My Sword, Hoslow's Oath, Golden Order Totality, Strength!
Secrets & Rituals The ones that feel magical and are often keys to hidden things. Erudition, Prayer, The Ring, Inner/Outer Order

Gestures You Gotta Try (Trust Me)

Some gestures are just… chef’s kiss. Here are a few I think every player should experience:

  • For Pure Style: The my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-10 Fancy Spin. Nothing says "I meant to do that" after narrowly dodging a dragon’s fire like a graceful pirouette.

  • For Maximum Drama: my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-11 Grovel for Mercy. The ultimate surrender. Using this after losing a duel is the digital equivalent of waving a white flag with extra flair.

  • For the Vibes: my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-12 Dozing Cross-Legged or my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-13 Sitting Sideways. Perfect for afk’ing with a view. Sometimes you just gotta sit and watch the Erdtree glow, you know?

  • The Community Classic: my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-14 Patches' Crouch. If you know, you know. This gesture has a whole history and personality attached to it. It’s a little nod to the veterans.

A Quick Tip on Finding Them All

Look, I’m not gonna list every single location here—that’s what wikis are for in 2026. But my advice? Talk to every NPC. Multiple times. Until they start repeating themselves. So many gestures, like my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-15 As You Wish or my-personal-guide-to-elden-ring-gestures-communication-secrets-and-pure-fun-in-2026-image-16 My Lord, are gifts from characters you befriend (or obey). Also, explore every nook. That weird, empty temple? Try out every prayer-like gesture you have. The game rewards curiosity.

Why They Still Matter in 2026

Even now, gestures keep the community alive. They’re a timeless way to connect. I’ve made friends just because we both used the Triumphant Delight dance after beating a boss. In PvP, a respectful bow before a fight is an unspoken rule of honor. And discovering a new secret with a gesture? That never gets old.

So, next time you’re in the Lands Between, don’t just rush to the next Grace site. Take a moment. Bow to a friendly summon. Point at a hidden item for your buddy. Or just sit down and watch the sky burn. These little animations are more than just buttons on a menu—they’re the soul of how we play together. And honestly? That’s pretty special.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a hidden wall that supposedly opens if I use the ‘Rapture’ gesture just right… Wish me luck! 🙏