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Do you want to shine bright in Minecraft? A beacon can help you! In this guide, we’ll show you how to make a beacon in Minecraft. It’s fun and easy. Let’s get started!

What Is a Beacon in Minecraft?

A beacon is a special block. It sends a beam of light into the sky. You can see it from far away. It also gives you special powers called status effects. These powers can make you run faster, mine quicker, or jump higher.

beacon of diamonds

Why Use a Beacon?

Beacons are very useful. Here are some reasons why you should use a beacon in Minecraft:

  • Find Your Home: The bright light helps you find your way back home.
  • Get Special Powers: Beacons give you and your friends extra abilities.
  • Show Off: Beacons look cool! They can make your base look awesome.

Materials You Need

To make a beacon in Minecraft, you need these materials:

  • Five Glass Blocks
5 Glass
  • Three Obsidian Blocks
3 Obsidian
  • One Nether Star
1 Nether star

How to Get Glass Blocks

Glass blocks are easy to make. Here’s how:

  1. Find Sand: You can get sand near water.
  2. Collect Sand: You need at least five pieces.
  3. Use a Furnace: Put the sand in the furnace.
  4. Add Fuel: Use coal or wood.
  5. Get Glass: The sand will turn into glass!

How to Get Obsidian Blocks

Obsidian is a strong block. Here’s how to get it:

  1. Find Lava and Water: Look for lava pools.
  2. Create Obsidian: Pour water over lava.
  3. Use a Diamond Pickaxe: You need it to mine obsidian.
  4. Collect Obsidian: You need at least three blocks.

How to Get a Nether Star

The Nether Star is rare. It’s hard to get. Here’s how:

  1. Go to the Nether: Build a Nether portal.
  2. Collect Wither Skeleton Skulls: You need three. Defeat Wither Skeletons to get them.
  3. Summon the Wither Boss: Use the skulls and soul sand.
  4. Defeat the Wither Boss: It’s a tough fight!
  5. Get the Nether Star: The Wither drops it when defeated.

How to Make a Beacon in Minecraft

Now, let’s learn how to make a beacon in Minecraft.

Step 1: Open the Crafting Table

First, open your crafting table. You will see a 3×3 grid.

Step 2: Place the Materials

Place the items in the grid like this:

  • Top Row: Glass | Glass | Glass
  • Middle Row: Glass | Nether Star | Glass
  • Bottom Row: Obsidian | Obsidian | Obsidian

It looks like this:

[Glass] [Glass] [Glass] [Glass] [Nether Star] [Glass] [Obsidian] [Obsidian] [Obsidian]

Step 3: Craft the Beacon

After placing the items correctly, a beacon will appear in the result box. Drag it into your inventory. Congratulations! You have made a beacon in Minecraft.

How to Activate Your Beacon minecraft

Making the beacon is just the start. Now, you need to activate it to use its powers.

Step 1: Collect Blocks for the Pyramid

You need blocks to build a pyramid. You can use:

  • Iron Blocks
  • Gold Blocks
  • Diamond Blocks
  • Emerald Blocks
  • Netherite Blocks

Iron blocks are the easiest to get.

Step 2: Build the Pyramid

Build a pyramid shape using the blocks. The pyramid can have 1 to 4 layers.

Pyramid Sizes

Minecraft Beacon levels
  • One Layer: 9 blocks (3×3 base). Gives you primary powers.
  • Two Layers: 34 blocks (5ร—5, 3ร—3). Gives you more powers.
  • Three Layers: 83 blocks (7ร—7, 5ร—5, 3ร—3). Even more powers.
  • Four Layers: 164 blocks (9ร—9, 7ร—7, 5ร—5, 3ร—3). Unlocks all powers and secondary powers.

Step 3: Place the Beacon on Top

Put the beacon on the top center of the pyramid. The beacon will light up and send a beam into the sky!

Using Your Beacon minecraft

Now that your beacon is active, you can use it.

Step 1: Open the Beacon Menu

Right-click on the beacon. A menu will open.

Beacon Menu

Step 2: Select Your Powers

You can choose from these primary powers:

  • Speed: Makes you run faster.
  • Haste: Lets you mine and chop faster.
  • Resistance: Reduces damage from enemies.
  • Jump Boost: Makes you jump higher.
  • Strength: Increases your attack power.

If you built a full four-layer pyramid, you can also get secondary powers like Regeneration.

Step 3: Add a Resource

To activate the power, you need to add one of these:

  • Iron Ingot
  • Gold Ingot
  • Diamond
  • Emerald
  • Netherite Ingot

Place it in the slot and click the green check mark.

Changing Beacon Beam Colors

You can change the color of the beacon’s beam. Here’s how:

  1. Get Stained Glass: Choose any color you like.
  2. Place the Glass Above the Beacon: Put it right on top.
  3. Enjoy the New Color: The beam will change!

You can even stack stained glass to mix colors.

Mixed beacon colors

Tips and Tricks

  • Combine Powers: Use multiple beacons to get several powers at once.
  • Use Different Blocks: You can mix iron, gold, diamond, emerald, and netherite blocks in your pyramid.
  • Protect Your Beacon: Build walls or place torches to keep monsters away.
  • Mining Haste: Use the haste power to mine faster. It’s great for gathering resources.
  • Share Effects: Your friends can also get the beacon’s powers when near it.

How to Defeat the Wither Boss

Getting the Nether Star is hard. You need to defeat the Wither boss.

Gathering Wither Skeleton Skulls

Here’s how to get the skulls:

  1. Find a Nether Fortress: In the Nether.
  2. Defeat Wither Skeletons: They sometimes drop skulls.
  3. Collect Three Skulls: You might need to defeat many skeletons.

Summoning the Wither

  1. Collect Soul Sand: You need four blocks.
  2. Build the Shape: Place the soul sand in a T-shape.
  3. Add the Skulls: Put the three skulls on top.
Summoning the Wither

Be careful! The Wither will appear.

Battling the Wither

Here are some tips:

  • Prepare Armor: Wear your best armor.
  • Bring Weapons: Use a strong sword and bow.
  • Use Potions: Healing and strength potions help.
  • Choose a Safe Place: Fight underground to limit damage.
  • Have Food: Bring food to heal.

Defeat the Wither to get the Nether Star.

Beacon Minecraft Effects and Powers

Beacons offer many powers. Let’s learn about them.

Primary Powers

  • Speed
  • Haste
  • Resistance
  • Jump Boost
  • Strength

Secondary Powers

  • Regeneration

You need a four-layer pyramid for secondary powers.

Range of Effects

The range depends on the pyramid size:

  • One Layer: 20 blocks. Effect duration: 11sec.
  • Two Layers: 30 blocks. Effect duration: 13sec.
  • Three Layers: 40 blocks. Effect duration: 15sec.
  • Four Layers: 50 blocks. Effect duration: 17sec.

Creative Uses for Beacons

Beacons are not just for powers. Here are some creative ideas:

Marking Locations

Use beacons to mark important places like:

  • Your Home Base
  • Villages
  • Mines

Decorative Purposes

Beacons look cool! Use them to decorate:

  • Light Shows: Create with colored beams.
  • Patterns: Design with multiple beacons.
Minecraft beacon pulsates with radiant light, casting colorful beams into the pixelated sky.

Community Beacons

In multiplayer games, set up beacons for everyone to use.

Troubleshooting Your Beacon

Sometimes, your beacon might not work. Here are common problems:

Beacon Not Lighting Up

  • Check the Pyramid: Is it built correctly?
  • Clear Path to Sky: Remove any blocks above the beacon.

Beacon Powers Not Working

  • Add a Resource: Did you put in an ingot or gem?
  • Select a Power: Make sure you chose one.

Beam Not Showing

  • Graphics Settings: Check your game settings.
  • Obstructions: Remove blocks above the beacon.

Safety Tips When Making a Beacon Minecraft

Beware of Mobs

Watch out for monsters:

  • Creepers: They can explode.
  • Skeletons and Zombies: Common at night.

Protect Your Pyramid

  • Light Up the Area: Use torches.
  • Build Fences: Keep mobs away.
Minecraft fences

Backup Your Game

Before fighting the Wither, save your game.

Advanced Beacon minecraft Setups

Layered Effects

Use multiple beacons for more powers.

  • Example: One beacon for speed, another for strength.

Beacon Designs

  • Hidden Pyramids: Build underground.
  • Different Shapes: Be creative!
Minecraft sand pyramid with beacon

Connecting with Other Players

Share Beacons

In multiplayer, share beacons with friends.

Trade Materials

Swap items with others to get what you need.

Team Up

Fight the Wither together. It’s easier with friends.

Fun Facts About Beacon minecraft

  • First Added: Beacons came in Minecraft 1.4.2.
  • Max Height: The beam goes up to the sky limit.
  • Multiple Beacons: Up to six on one pyramid.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to make a beacon in Minecraft! Beacons are powerful and fun to use. They can help you play better and make your world look amazing. So go ahead, build that beacon in Minecraft, and enjoy your new powers! Have fun playing!