To make a beacon in Minecraft, combine 3 Obsidian Blocks, 5 Glass Blocks, and a Nether Star in a crafting table, then place the beacon on top of a properly built pyramid to activate its effects. In this guide we’ll explain every step required to craft and activate a beacon.
Steps to Craft a Beacon in Minecraft
Creating a beacon starts with obtaining the required materials, including a Nether Star, Glass Blocks, and Obsidian.
Obtain 3 Obsidian Blocks
The first step is obtaining Obsidian. The easiest way to do this is by combining water and lava, as Obsidian is created when water comes into contact with a lava source block. Once formed, it can be mined using a diamond pickaxe. After collecting three Obsidian Blocks, you can move on to the next step.
Gather 5 Glass Blocks
The next step is obtaining 5 Glass Blocks. The easiest way to do this is by smelting regular sand in a furnace using any fuel source. Once you’ve collected five Glass Blocks, you can move on to obtaining a Nether Star.
Get a Nether Star
The final material required to craft a beacon is a Nether Star. This item can only be obtained by defeating the Wither, one of the most powerful bosses in Minecraft. After defeating it, the Nether Star will drop as a guaranteed reward, giving you all of the materials needed to craft a beacon.
Craft a Beacon
Once you’ve obtained all of the required materials, open a Crafting Table and place the Nether Star in the center slot. Next, place 3 Obsidian Blocks across the entire bottom row and fill all of the remaining slots with Glass Blocks.
After crafting the beacon, you’ll be ready to build a beacon pyramid and activate its effects.
How to Activate a Beacon in Minecraft
To activate a beacon in Minecraft, you’ll need to place it on top of a properly built beacon pyramid and select one of its available effects.
Gather Materials for a Beacon Pyramid
Before activating a beacon, you’ll need to gather enough blocks to build a beacon pyramid. Iron, Gold, Diamond, Emerald, and Netherite Blocks can all be used for this purpose, and different materials can be mixed within the same pyramid.
Build a Beacon Pyramid
Once you’ve gathered the required materials, build a beacon pyramid using Iron, Gold, Diamond, Emerald, or Netherite Blocks. A level 1 pyramid requires 9 blocks and provides a range of 20 blocks, while level 2 requires 34 blocks and increases the range to 30 blocks. A level 3 pyramid requires 83 blocks and extends the range to 40 blocks, while a full level 4 pyramid requires 164 blocks and provides the maximum range of 50 blocks while unlocking all beacon effects.
Place the Beacon on Top of the Pyramid
After building the beacon pyramid, place the beacon on the center block of the top layer. If the pyramid has been built correctly, the beacon will immediately activate and project a beam of light into the sky.
Select a Beacon Effect
Once the beacon is active, open it and choose the effect you want to receive. Available effects depend on the size of the beacon pyramid, with larger pyramids unlocking additional powers such as Strength, Resistance, and Jump Boost.
FAQ
What Does a Beacon Do in Minecraft?
A beacon provides powerful status effects to nearby players, making it one of the most useful late-game blocks in Minecraft. Depending on the size of the beacon pyramid, players can activate effects such as Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost, and Strength. A fully upgraded beacon also increases the effect range and allows access to additional abilities.
How to Use a Beacon in Minecraft?
To use a beacon, place it on top of a properly built beacon pyramid made from Iron, Gold, Diamond, Emerald, or Netherite Blocks. Once activated, open the beacon and select the effect you want to receive. Larger pyramids unlock additional effects and increase the beacon’s range, making them more effective for large bases and projects.
How Many Blocks Are Needed for a Full Beacon in Minecraft?
A full beacon requires a level 4 pyramid consisting of 164 blocks. This includes a 9×9 base layer, a 7×7 second layer, a 5×5 third layer, and a 3×3 top layer directly beneath the beacon. Building the maximum-size pyramid unlocks all available beacon effects and provides the largest possible range.
What Is the Maximum Beacon Range in Minecraft?
The maximum beacon range in Minecraft is 50 blocks and can only be achieved with a fully upgraded level 4 beacon pyramid. Players standing within this radius will receive the selected beacon effects as long as they remain inside the beacon’s area of influence.
