A beacon is a block that projects a light beam skyward and can provide status effects such as Speed, Jump Boost, Haste, Regeneration, Resistance, or Strength to nearby players. Show Obtaining[]Breaking[]A beacon can be mined successfully with any tool. When destroyed by an explosion, the block always drops as an item.
Crafting[]
Usage[]In Bedrock Edition, beacons can also be waterlogged and conduct redstone power at the same time. When "activated", beacon blocks provide two unique functions:
Activation[]The beacon base can be made of the different mineral blocks combined. In order to activate a beacon, the beacon must meet the following requirements:
Pyramids[]The four possible pyramid arrangements when using the beacon block. From left to right the pyramid structures decrease in complexity and strength. Pyramids are the structures required to activate beacons. There are four possible pyramid heights. More pyramid levels make more powers available in a wider affected vicinity. The type of mineral block used to build the pyramid is entirely cosmetic and has no functional effect. Several different block types can be mixed without affecting functionality. If the pyramid is damaged so that the beacon deactivates, the previously-set powers resume their effects upon reactivation when the pyramid is repaired. This applies to piston-altered pyramids as well. A single beacon pyramid
This six-Beacon pyramid provides all six effects from a single structure using the fewest mineral blocks possible. Multiple beacons can make use of the same specific mineral blocks below them. Combined pyramids do not need to be symmetrical. The image to the right shows a 6-beacon (2 by 3) pyramid. It requires a total of 244 mineral blocks, with a base layer of 10 by 11. Multiple beacons pyramid (tier 4 can enable all buffs)
Beam[]A vertical beam appears from a beacon if the beacon is activated, extending from the beacon block up to beyond the top of the world.
The color of the beam may be changed by placing blocks of stained glass (or stained glass panes) anywhere above the beacon block. The beam changes colors according to the colors of glass placed above it: the first block sets the beam color, while each additional block sets the color by averaging the red, green, and blue components of the current beam color and the block's color. The color values are the same as those for the corresponding dye. This also works using hardened stained glass and hardened stained glass panes.[Bedrock and Education editions only] As the blending algorithm is considerably simpler than that of leather-dyeing, a much larger part of the sRGB space is available. A player may experiment with stacking glass, although programs that calculate combinations are also available. Beacon beams cannot go through most blocks, but can go through bedrock (to allow beacons to be used in the Nether) and end portal frames. Powers[]The GUI shown when pressing use on the block. Once the beacon is emitting a beam, it can then be fed one iron ingot, gold ingot, emerald, diamond, or netherite ingot to select the status effects given to players within range of the beacon. This is done through the beacon's GUI, displayed by pressing use while looking at the beacon block. It doesn't matter which of the items is fed into the beacon. In the GUI, the player places the item to be fed in the empty slot and clicks an effect from the "Primary Power" section on the left. If the beacon is sitting on a 4-level pyramid, the "Secondary Power" section on the right also becomes active. The player can then choose either to turn on the Regeneration power in addition to the Primary Power or to raise the primary power to Level II. The user clicks the "Done" button (green checkmark), the item is consumed, and the power(s) become activated. To change the beacon's powers, this process must be followed again, consuming another ingot or gem. If the pyramid is broken, effects deactivate or weaken, or the beacon deactivates entirely depending on the level of the pyramid that is no longer complete. Upon restoration of the pyramid, the originally selected power returns without the need to spend another item. The five Primary Powers are:
The Secondary Powers available with a 4-level pyramid are:
It is also possible to combine two different primary Level I powers:
Only one of the two powers appear to be selected, although both effects are active.[Java Edition only] Every four seconds, the selected powers are applied with a duration of 9 seconds, plus 2 seconds per pyramid level, to all players in range. Thus, when powers are changed or a player travels outside the area-of-effect, the powers persist for 5–9 seconds, or 13-17 seconds with a full pyramid. Range[]The beacon affects an area in the shape of a square column, which reaches downward and out to each side at a range determined by the size of the pyramid base (see table below), and upward a distance of that range + 384 blocks. The distance from the player to the beacon block does not affect the intensity of the status effect.
Light source[]Beacon blocks can function as light sources, emitting a light level 15. Like other light sources, they melt snow and ice. Piston interactivity[]Beacons are block entities, so they cannot be pushed or pulled by pistons or sticky pistons.[Java Edition only] Sounds[]Generic[]Java Edition:
Bedrock Edition:
Unique[]Java Edition:
Data values[]ID[]Java Edition:
Bedrock Edition:
Block data[]A beacon has a block entity associated with it that holds additional data about the block. Java Edition:
Bedrock Edition: See Bedrock Edition level format/Block entity format.Achievements[]
Advancements[]
Video[]History[]
Issues[]Issues relating to "Beacon" are maintained on the bug tracker. Report issues there. Trivia[]The map icon texture is hidden in the transparent part of the beacon beam texture in Java Edition 12w38a.
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How does a beacon work?The beacon device itself is incredibly simple. Each device contains a CPU, radio, and batteries, and it works by repeatedly broadcasting out an identifier. This identifier is picked up by your device, usually a mobile, and marks out an important place in your environment.
What do you put in beacons in Minecraft?An curved arrow pointing right. You can use beacons in "Minecraft" to give your character powerful upgrades and buffs. To craft a beacon in "Minecraft," you'll need glass, obsidian, and a rare item called the Nether Star. Once you've crafted the beacon, you'll also need to build a pyramid pedestal to place it on.
How do you activate a beacon in Minecraft without a pyramid?Place nine mineral blocks down to create a 3-by-3 base.
Place three rows of three blocks where you want to activate your beacon. You can use any of the iron, gold, emerald or diamond mineral blocks. You will need a minimum total of 9 blocks for the base. You can combine different mineral blocks for the base.
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