Description
The beacon is a powerful utility block that projects a beam of light into the sky and grants status effects to players within range when it is activated. It requires a pyramid base made from iron gold diamond emerald or netherite blocks to function and the size and quality of the pyramid determine the range and strength of the beacon. Beacons are central to many late game bases because they offer helpful effects like increased speed jump boost haste regeneration and strength which improve mining combat and travel efficiency. Building a beacon is a major milestone because it requires valuable materials and a clear plan for placement to take full advantage of the range. The visual beam of a beacon also acts as a landmark which helps players find their base from a distance. In addition to functional effects players use beacons in decorative builds and public plazas to create a central focal point that signals importance and power. Setting up a beacon pyramid takes time and resources but the benefits for organised exploration and resource gathering are substantial and the block is often a long term investment in a world.
What is Beacon?
A beacon is a utility block that provides area effects and a light beam when placed on top of a pyramid of precious blocks. It grants status effects to players inside the beam range and is used for both functional and decorative purposes in late game bases.
Where to find Beacon
Beacons do not spawn naturally for the most part. They are crafted by players using a nether star which is dropped by the wither boss. You will often find beacons in player builds and on servers in central plazas and important bases where they mark territory and provide useful status effects.
How to get Beacon
To make a beacon you need a nether star which you obtain from defeating the wither boss. Combine the nether star with glass and obsidian in the crafting table to make the beacon block and then build a pyramid base from iron gold diamond emerald or netherite blocks to activate it. In creative mode take beacons and base blocks directly from the inventory.
Release Information
First introduced: Added in Minecraft Java Edition 1.4 in 2012
Give Command
/give @p minecraft:beacon 1
How to use Beacon
Place the beacon on top of a completed pyramid and activate it to select the status effect you want. The pyramid level determines the range and the strength of effects which can help with mining combat and travel. Use beacons as landmarks and as functional additions to farms and exploration camps. Place beacons in public areas to provide buffs to other players and to mark important locations in a world.
Recipes for Beacon
Shaped Crafting Items must be placed in a specific pattern in a crafting table
Glass
Glass
Glass
Glass
Nether Star
Glass
Obsidian
Obsidian
Obsidian
Beacon