How to Make a Beacon in Minecraft

Materials Needed

Before you embark on the journey of creating a beacon in Minecraft, you’ll need to gather a few key materials. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

3 obsidian blocks
5 glass blocks
1 nether star
3 emeralds
1 diamond
1 gold ingot

Obsidian is a rare material found by mining or through creating a Nether portal. Glass blocks can be crafted using glass panes, which can be made by smelting sand in a furnace. The nether star is a drop from defeating the Wither boss. Emeralds can be acquired through trading with Villagers, and diamonds and gold ingots can be obtained by mining or smelting ores.

Make sure you have all the materials on hand before starting the beacon construction process. Once you have everything ready, you can proceed to the next step of crafting a beacon.

Step 1: Crafting a Beacon

The first step in creating a beacon in Minecraft is to craft the beacon itself. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Open your crafting table or crafting grid
Place 3 obsidian blocks in the bottom row of the crafting grid
Put 5 glass blocks in the middle row of the crafting grid
Finally, place 1 nether star in the top-center slot
Once you’ve arranged the materials correctly, the beacon will appear in the result box of the crafting area
Drag the beacon from the result box into your inventory

Crafting a beacon requires a combination of obsidian, glass blocks, and a nether star. Obsidian can be obtained by mining it using a diamond or netherite pickaxe, and glass blocks can be crafted by smelting sand in a furnace. The nether star is a rare item dropped by defeating the Wither boss.

Remember, the beacon can only be crafted once you’ve obtained all the necessary materials. Once you have your beacon in hand, you can move on to the next step of creating a beacon pyramid to activate it.

Step 2: Obtaining a Nether Star

In order to create a beacon in Minecraft, you’ll need to obtain a nether star. The nether star is a rare item dropped by defeating the fearsome Wither boss. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to obtain a nether star:

Gather the necessary materials for summoning the Wither boss: 4 soul sand blocks and 3 Wither skeleton skulls.
Travel to the Nether dimension, where soul sand commonly spawns.
Construct a T-shaped structure using the 4 soul sand blocks. Place 3 blocks horizontally and one block vertically in the center.
Place the 3 Wither skeleton skulls on top of the three upper blocks of the T-shaped structure. This will spawn the Wither boss.
Prepare for a challenging battle as the Wither boss is incredibly powerful. Make sure you have enough armor, weapons, and healing items.
Defeat the Wither boss by attacking it until its health bar depletes completely.
Once defeated, the Wither boss will drop a nether star as a reward.
Collect the nether star and add it to your inventory.

Remember, fighting the Wither boss can be very difficult, so it’s important to be well-prepared before engaging in the battle. Once you’ve obtained the nether star, you can move on to the next step of building a beacon pyramid.

Step 3: Building a Beacon Pyramid

Now that you have obtained the necessary materials and the nether star, it’s time to build a beacon pyramid to activate your beacon. Follow these steps to construct the pyramid:

Choose a suitable location for your beacon pyramid. It should be a flat area with enough space to accommodate the pyramid structure.
Clear the ground and make sure there are no obstacles in your way.
Place the beacon block at the center of the area where you want your pyramid to be.
Starting from the beacon block, stack additional layers of materials around it in a pyramid shape. Each layer must be one block smaller than the one beneath it.
The type of material you use for the pyramid will determine the strength and range of the beacon’s effects. You can use materials such as iron blocks, gold blocks, diamond blocks, emerald blocks, or netherite blocks.
Continue stacking until you reach the desired height for your beacon pyramid.
Ensure that there are no gaps or spaces between the blocks, as this could prevent the beacon from activating properly.

Keep in mind that the size and composition of the beacon pyramid will determine the strength and range of the beacon’s effects. The stronger the materials used and the larger the pyramid, the more powerful the beacon’s effects will be.

Once you’ve built the beacon pyramid, it’s time to move on to the next step of activating the beacon and applying its effects.

Step 4: Activating the Beacon

After constructing the beacon pyramid, it’s time to activate the beacon and unleash its powerful effects. Here’s how you can activate the beacon:

Make sure you have built the beacon pyramid as outlined in the previous step.
Right-click on the beacon block at the top of the pyramid. This will bring up the beacon interface.
In the beacon interface, you will see three slots: one for the nether star and two additional slots for optional materials.
Place the nether star into the first slot of the beacon interface.
If you have any additional optional materials such as iron, gold, diamond, emerald, or netherite blocks, place them in the remaining slots.
Once you have placed the required materials, click the “Activate” button in the beacon interface.
If everything is set up correctly, the beacon will now activate and emit a beam of light into the sky.
The activated beacon will also have a colored effect based on the optional materials used in the beacon pyramid.

Once activated, the beacon will provide various effects depending on the materials used:

Iron blocks: Speed
Gold blocks: Haste
Diamond blocks: Resistance
Emerald blocks: Jump Boost
Netherite blocks: Regeneration

Remember, the effects of the beacon are only active within a certain range from the beacon itself. The range can be increased by adding more layers to the beacon pyramid.

Congratulations! You have successfully activated your beacon and harnessed its powerful effects. Now it’s time to apply those effects to benefit your Minecraft gameplay.

Step 5: Applying Beacon Effects

Now that your beacon is activated and emitting its powerful beam of light, you can begin applying its effects to enhance your gameplay in Minecraft. Here’s how you can apply beacon effects:

Stand within the range of the beacon’s beam. The effects only apply to players and mobs within this range.
As you stand within the beam, you will notice a status effect icon appear on your screen indicating which effect you are receiving.
Each effect has a level associated with it that ranges from 1 to 4. The level of the effect depends on the number of layers in the beacon pyramid.
To change the active effect, right-click on the beacon block. This will open the beacon interface again.
Within the beacon interface, you can select a different effect by clicking on the available options.
If you have placed optional materials in the beacon pyramid, you can also select secondary effects by clicking on the secondary options inside the beacon interface.
Experiment with different combinations of primary and secondary effects to suit your gameplay preferences.
To remove the effects altogether, simply exit the range of the beacon’s beam.

It’s important to note that the effects of the beacon will only apply within the range of the beacon’s beam. To increase the range, you can add more layers to the beacon pyramid.

By utilizing the beacon effects, you can gain advantages such as increased speed, mining efficiency, damage resistance, improved jumping ability, and health regeneration. These effects can greatly enhance your abilities and add a new level of strategy to your Minecraft adventures.

Now that you’ve learned how to apply beacon effects, it’s time to take advantage of these powerful buffs and conquer the Minecraft world!

Step 6: Upgrading the Beacon

Once you have activated your beacon and experienced the benefits of its effects, you may want to consider upgrading it to enhance its capabilities even further. Here’s how you can upgrade your beacon:

Upgrade the pyramid: To unlock additional tiers of powers and effects, you will need to increase the size of your beacon pyramid. This is done by adding more layers to the pyramid using the same materials as before, but in larger quantities.
Activate secondary powers: By adding blocks of different materials to the beacon pyramid, you can unlock secondary powers and effects. Each material has its own unique secondary power associated with it. Experiment with different combinations to find the effects that suit your playstyle.
Unlock range increase: As you upgrade your beacon pyramid, you will unlock the ability to increase the range at which the beacon’s effects are applied. This allows you to cover a larger area with the beneficial effects of the beacon.
Upgrade primary powers: By adding more layers to the beacon pyramid, you can increase the level of the primary powers. Each layer added will increase the level of the effects by one. This means higher levels of speed, haste, resistance, jump boost, or regeneration.
Enhance secondary powers: Similarly, adding more blocks of the same material to the beacon pyramid will enhance the secondary powers associated with that material. This can provide additional benefits such as increased sprinting speed, longer potion duration, or stronger potion effects.

Remember, upgrading the beacon requires more resources and materials, so make sure you gather enough before attempting to upgrade. With each upgrade, your beacon becomes more powerful and offers greater advantages to aid you in your Minecraft adventures.

Keep in mind that the highest possible tier for the beacon is a nine-layer pyramid, with the beacon block at the center and the beacon’s beam reaching the maximum range. This will grant you the most powerful effects and benefits.

Now that you know how to upgrade your beacon, unleash its full potential and become an unstoppable force in the world of Minecraft!

Step 7: Tips and Tricks for Using Beacons

Mastering the usage of beacons can greatly enhance your Minecraft experience. To help you make the most of these powerful structures, here are some tips and tricks:

Maximize the range: To maximize the range of your beacon’s effects, build a larger pyramid using valuable materials like diamond or netherite blocks. This will allow you to cover a larger area with the beneficial effects.
Combine effects: Experiment with different combinations of primary and secondary effects to create a customized set of buffs that suit your gameplay style. For example, combining speed and resistance can make you a formidable force in combat.
Use beacons strategically: Place beacons near areas that you frequently visit or use as a base. This way, you can benefit from their effects while mining, exploring, or fighting off enemies.
Build multiple beacons: If you have access to a plentiful supply of resources, consider building multiple beacons in different locations. This can provide you with convenient access to various effects depending on your current activities.
Upgrade gradually: Don’t feel pressured to create the most powerful beacon pyramid right away. Start small and gradually add layers and materials as you collect more resources. This allows you to progressively enhance your beacon’s effects.
Beacon defense: Use the pyramid structure as a defensive barrier. The solid blocks used in the pyramid can provide protection against hostile mobs, creating a safe area around the beacon.
Consider teamwork: If you’re playing multiplayer, collaborate with other players to construct larger and more powerful beacon pyramids. This can create a central hub of enhanced effects for everyone to benefit from.
Utilize redstone activation: By using redstone circuitry, you can activate or deactivate your beacon remotely. This can be useful for conserving resources or triggering specific events at controlled times.

By incorporating these tips and tricks into your Minecraft gameplay, you can fully maximize the advantages offered by beacons. From increased speed and mining efficiency to increased defense and utility, the possibilities are endless.

Now, go forth and make the most of your beacons to conquer the Minecraft world!

Step 8: Common Beacon Mistakes to Avoid

While beacons in Minecraft can be incredibly powerful tools, there are some common mistakes that players should avoid to ensure they get the most out of their beacon usage. Here are some pitfalls to watch out for:

Insufficient materials: Make sure you have gathered all the necessary materials before attempting to create a beacon. Running out of materials mid-construction can be frustrating and delay your progress.
Poor pyramid construction: Each layer of the beacon pyramid must be smaller than the previous one. Make sure to follow the correct size progression and double-check the pyramid’s structure to avoid any gaps or mistakes.
Forgetting the nether star: The nether star is a crucial component for activating the beacon. Double-check that you have obtained a nether star before attempting to activate your beacon.
Not utilizing secondary effects: Secondary effects can provide additional benefits, so make sure to include optional materials in your pyramid construction. Experiment with different combinations to achieve the effects that suit your playstyle.
Not maximizing the beacon’s range: Building a small pyramid can restrict the beacon’s range, limiting the area covered by its effects. Take the time to construct a larger pyramid to maximize the beacon’s potential.
Not upgrading gradually: Don’t rush to create the most powerful beacon pyramid right away. Start with a small pyramid and gradually upgrade it as you collect more resources. This way, you can optimize your beacon’s effects without unnecessary resource wastage.
Failure to plan: Before constructing a beacon pyramid, carefully plan its location and make sure it aligns with your gameplay requirements. Consider factors such as proximity to important locations and ease of access.
Mismanagement of effects: It’s easy to get overwhelmed with various effects. Strategically select and organize effects to avoid confusion and ensure you have the desired buffs active at the right times.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient beacon experience. Take the time to plan, gather the necessary materials, construct a well-designed pyramid, and make the most of your beacon’s potential.

Now that you’re aware of these common mistakes, go forth and build your beacon with confidence!

Step 9: Creative Beacon Designs for Decoration

While beacons in Minecraft primarily serve as functional structures for providing powerful effects, they can also be utilized creatively to add beauty and flair to your world. Here are some creative beacon designs for decoration:

The Tower of Light: Create a visually striking tower using hardened glass blocks or stained glass blocks. Place beacons at different heights within the tower, activating them to emit their colorful beams of light. This design adds a stunning visual element to any landscape.
The Underwater Glow: Submerge a beacon in an underwater structure, such as a glass dome or an underwater temple. The beacon’s beam will shine through the water, creating an enchanting and ethereal glow. This design works especially well in ocean or underwater-themed builds.
The Sky Lanterns: Suspend beacons from hot air balloons or floating platforms to give the appearance of floating lanterns. Combine different materials for the hot air balloon structure and vary the height of the beacons to create a captivating floating display.
The Elemental Pathway: Line a pathway with beacons of different colors, creating a mesmerizing rainbow effect. Use different building materials such as blocks or slabs to represent the various colors of the beacons. This design adds a touch of magic and mystique to any outdoor area.
The Garden of Light: Incorporate beacons into a garden or flowerbed design. Surround the base of each beacon with flowers or hedges to create a vibrant and illuminated garden. This design provides a serene and enchanting ambiance to outdoor spaces.
The Celestial Skyscape: Create a night sky scene by placing beacons at different heights and distances from each other. Surround them with blocks representing stars, such as glowstone or sea lanterns. This design mimics a starry night sky and adds a celestial touch to your world.
The Beacon Chandelier: Hang beacons from the ceiling using chains or fences to create a spectacular chandelier. Vary the heights and colors of the beacons for an eye-catching centerpiece in grand halls or large interior spaces.

By incorporating these creative beacon designs into your Minecraft builds, you can elevate the visual appeal and create magical atmospheres within your world. Combine different materials, colors, and heights to craft unique and awe-inspiring structures that make use of beacons in a decorative and artistic manner.

Let your imagination soar and turn your beacons into stunning works of art!