Beacon
Beacon emits status-effect auras to nearby players when set atop a mineral pyramid — the ultimate endgame buff source.
Description
The interface offers a primary effect — Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost, or Strength — and at higher tiers a secondary effect of Regeneration. To activate, feed the device an iron, gold, emerald, diamond, or netherite ingot. The radius scales with the pyramid: tier one covers about twenty blocks, tier four extends fifty-plus. The vertical light beam itself reaches the build limit and can be tinted by placing stained glass directly above, an essential landmark for large bases.
Java Edition Guide
How to Build and Use a Beacon in Minecraft
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1
Obtain a Nether Star
Defeat the Wither boss to obtain a Nether Star. Spawn the Wither by placing 4 soul sand or soul soil in a T-shape and placing 3 Wither Skeleton skulls on top.
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2
Craft the Beacon
At a crafting table, place 1 Nether Star in the center, 5 glass blocks across the top row (and top-left/top-right of the middle row filling 5 of the 9 slots surrounding), and 3 obsidian in the bottom row. Exact layout: top row all glass; middle row: glass, nether star, glass; bottom row: obsidian, obsidian, obsidian.
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3
Build the Mineral Pyramid
Construct a solid pyramid using iron, gold, diamond, emerald, or netherite blocks (any combination). Tier 1: one 3×3 layer. Tier 2: a 5×5 base plus a 3×3 top. Tier 3: 7×7, 5×5, 3×3. Tier 4 (maximum): 9×9, 7×7, 5×5, 3×3 layers. Place the Beacon on top of the pyramid.
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4
Activate the Effect
Open the Beacon interface by right-clicking. Place a payment item (iron ingot, gold ingot, emerald, diamond, or netherite ingot) in the slot. Select a primary effect from the available list, then click the checkmark to confirm. Higher tiers unlock additional primary effects.
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5
Upgrade to Secondary Effect (Tier 4)
With a full four-layer pyramid, a secondary effect slot becomes available. You can choose Regeneration as a secondary effect, or upgrade your primary effect to Level II instead. Re-open the interface and pay another ingot to change effects.
The beacon beam reaches the build height limit and can be tinted by placing stained glass blocks directly above the beacon. Effect radius depends on pyramid tier: Tier 1 ≈20 blocks, Tier 2 ≈30, Tier 3 ≈40, Tier 4 ≈50 blocks from the beacon.
How to craft this block
Related blocks
Frequently asked questions
What blocks can be used for the beacon pyramid?
You can use iron, gold, diamond, emerald, or netherite blocks in any combination. All five block types count equally toward the pyramid structure.
How far does a beacon's effect reach?
The effect radius depends on the pyramid tier. Tier 1 reaches approximately 20 blocks, Tier 2 about 30, Tier 3 about 40, and a full Tier 4 pyramid reaches approximately 50 blocks from the beacon.
What effects can a beacon give?
Primary effects available are Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost, and Strength. At Tier 3 and Tier 4, you can add Regeneration as a secondary effect. At Tier 4 you can alternatively upgrade the primary effect to Level II instead of taking a secondary effect.
How do I change the beacon's active effect?
Right-click the beacon to open its interface. Select the new desired effect and place a payment item (any iron, gold, diamond, emerald, or netherite ingot) in the slot, then confirm. You must pay each time you change the effect.
Why is my beacon beam blocked?
Any solid opaque block directly above the beacon will block the beam and disable its effects. Transparent blocks like glass, leaves, or water do not interrupt the beam.
Can a beacon work underground or in the Nether?
A beacon requires an unobstructed path from the top of the beacon to the sky (build height limit). Underground placements will not work unless the ceiling above is fully open. In the Nether, the bedrock ceiling typically blocks the beam.
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