Ofzen And Computing is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How To Build A Beacon In Minecraft? [Powerful Light Sources]

How To Build A Beacon In Minecraft
  Written By: Ashish Arya
Updated On: 12/01/2023
Est. Reading: 6 minutes

Are you a Minecraft enthusiast looking for a way to enhance your gaming experience? Maybe you’re building a grand palace in your world and feel it needs a beacon as the cherry on top.

I’m going to guide you on how to build a beacon in Minecraft, turning your virtual empire into something more magnificent. Constructing a beacon is not an overly complicated process; it just requires specific materials and steps.

And don’t worry, we won’t be using fancy industry jargon here – just straightforward, ordinary English that everyone can understand.

Let’s get our hands virtually dirty and start the construction of this cool addition to your Minecraft world. Trust me: when we’re finished, your world will never be the same again.

How Many Blocks Are Needed for a Beacon?

To get started with your beacon, you’ll initially need 9 blocks. This will make a basic Level 1 beacon pyramid. It’s a good starting point and the most simplified design you can opt for. But, hey, maybe you’re not one to settle for simplicity.

How-Many-Blocks-Are-Needed-For-A-Beacon

For those aiming for grandeur in their world and want the full power of a beacon, do note that a Level 4 pyramid requires a whopping 164 blocks in total. This includes an intricate 4-layer pyramid base underneath the beacon.

Now, you may be wondering what kind of blocks are required. Well, your options include iron, gold, emerald, diamond, or netherite blocks. Choose whichever suits your preference or the aesthetics of your world.

Remember that the base layer needs more blocks than the top layer. A larger pyramid provides larger effect coverage and access to second-tier powers of the beacon to boost your capabilities in the game! So, if you aspire for maximum performance and power from your beacon.

  • Level 1 Pyramid: 9 blocks
  • Level 2 Pyramid: 34 blocks
  • Level 3 Pyramid: 83 blocks
  • Level 4 Pyramid: A total of 164 blocks

It might sound like some effort is necessary to get there, and sure, it’s no tiny task gathering all those materials, but trust me on this- once that beam shoots up into the Minecraft sky from atop your completed structure.

How To Build A Beacon In Minecraft?

Have you ever dreamed of adding some extra glow to your precious world on Minecraft? I wish you no more because we’re going to guide you through precisely how to create your very own beacon.

How-To-Build-A-Beacon-In-Minecraft

This beacon is not only going to be a scene-stealer with its illuminating charm, but it also gives off incredible powers that can enhance your gaming abilities. Sounds exciting, right? So, let’s learn how to summon up this powerhouse of light in the universe of Minecraft.

Gather Materials

We need our materials. The magic behind constructing a beacon begins with gathering at least three blocks of obsidian, five glass blocks, and one elusive Nether Star.

Obsidian is one of the toughest blocks in Minecraft; you can obtain it by mining a block, which is made when water makes contact with a lava source block. It might take some time, but hey, big achievements require effort.

Next up are the glass blocks; these beauties are crafted by smelting sand in that fiery furnace. Five chunks should hit the spot.

Nether Star- this star won’t fall from the sky for you. You get this coveted treasure by facing and defeating the mighty Wither.

He’s nothing less than one of the boss mobs that puts up quite a fight in your adventurous realm. Mastering him might take some tries, but remember, all that glitters is not gold; accept the Nether Star here.

Craft the Beacon

After collecting all your materials and defeating that terrifying beast (phew!), let’s move on to our crafting table, where we engineer our marvelous beacon.

Start placing three triumphant obsidian blocks in the bottom row, forming solid ground for our beacon. The shining, victorious Nether Star goes right into the center; considering what you went through to get it, it deserves no less than a spot.

To fill up the remaining empty spaces around the Nether Star, we will use the five glass blocks. Once your arrangement looks identical to this description, guess what? You can now see that magnificent Beacon right in your inventory.

Building a beacon may sound like a formidable task, but with careful perseverance and this nifty guide at hand, adding that majestic glow to your beautiful Minecraft castle will be a piece of cake.

Also Read: How To Stop Mobs From Spawning In Minecraft? [Expert Tips]

Build the Pyramid Base

To make our beacon stand tall and proud, we’re going to need a pyramid base. Now, here’s how you build one:

  • Make your pick from iron, gold, emerald, diamond, or netherite blocks. These metals might be hard to find, but their gleaming surfaces will make your beacon all the more grand.
  • Depending on whether you want a small family-sized pyramid or a grand Egyptian-style megalithic structure, you’ll need anywhere from 9 blocks (for the smallest 1-layer pyramid) to 164 blocks (for an impressive 4-layered colossus).
  • For the basic 1-layer avatar of our beacon podium, lay out a simple 3×3 square on your chosen ground. It’s a Minecraft version of “Home Sweet Home,” indeed.
  • Have more resources at hand and want to go bigger? Start with a bigger square – a 5×5 specifically – and put down that smaller 3×3 square on top of it. You’ve now got yourself a double-decker 2-layer pyramid.
  • Want to push it even further? Keep increasing each base layer by adding two more blocks all around – moving up from your starting point of 5×5 to achieve greater heights, like those expensive skyscrapers towering at an astounding height of 7×7 and then an even magnificent stature of sweeping 9×9 superstructure for those larger pyramids.

Activate the Beacon

So you’ve got yourself one fantastic beacon pyramid base. Let’s put that shiny beacon into action:

  • Your hard-earned beacon goes right on top of the pyramid – basking in all that grandeur.
  • To activate the beacon’s powers, right-click on it. In this GUI (Game User Interface) menu that appears, choose what power suits your needs. Whether it is Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost, or Strength, choose wisely.
  • If your pyramid is bigger (more than one layer), you’re in for a treat. You can select a secondary power option. How about some Regeneration to bounce back from attacks?
  • To seal the deal, insert one ingot – whether it’s of iron, gold, emerald, diamond, or netherite, it is up to you. This will activate your selected powers.
  • Close the GUI menu and watch your beacon go. Emitting a proud beam of light into the sky and granting the chosen benefits in a radius around it truly feels like a Minecraft godsend. Now, that’s what I call fantastic engineering! Enjoy exploring with these perks, enhancing your gaming experience tenfold.

Customizing the Beacon

There’s no rule in the Minecraft book that says your beacon can’t embody your personal style. You can add a bit more color to your beacon, quite literally:

  • One easy way to change up the look of your beacon is by modifying its beam color. Place a stained glass or stained glass panes right above it. The colored glass will project its hue onto the light beam, turning it into a lit spotlight representing your favorite color.
  • Want to go all out and get creative? Mix and match different shades of glass right atop your beacon. By combining various colors, you can make custom beam colors, basically creating your own unique rainbow in Minecraft.

Explore More: How To Find Dungeons In Minecraft? [A Step-by-Step Guide]

Maintenance and Relocation

A well-maintained beacon can provide numerous benefits as long as it remains active. Here are some pointers to keep in mind.

  • In order for your beacon to stay functional, always ensure that the pyramid base beneath it remains intact.
  • Another thing you’ll want to avoid is placing anything above the beacon that might restrict its beam. So, maintain a clear line from the beacon directly up to the sky.
  • If ever you’d like to move base with all that’s been built with much sweat (and blocks), remember everything is portable! Yes, both the pyramid and beacon can readily be moved around without losing any functionality. All you’ll need to do is carefully deactivate and reassemble them at the new site following these same steps.

Maintenance goes a long way in ensuring longevity and optimal performance of what we create, may it be a simple machine or an elaborate setup such as our stellar Minecraft Beacon.

FAQs About Building A Beacon In Minecraft

What is the reach of a beacon in Minecraft?

A beacon can extend its buffs up to a range of 50 blocks when only the base level is active. If designed at its maximum strength (all 4 layers), it covers an impressive 100-block radius.

Can I use mixed types of materials to build my beacon pyramid?

Absolutely! You can use any combination of iron, gold, emerald, diamond, or netherite blocks. Your pyramid can be as diverse as you want it to be.

What happens to my beacon if I change my game mode in Minecraft?

No matter what game mode you’re playing in, your beacon will continue to function normally as long as the necessary conditions for activation are met.

Why isn’t my Minecraft beacon activating even after doing the mentioned steps?

Two common reasons could be block obstruction from the beacon’s skyward line and incomplete construction. Make sure your beam has a clear sky path and that your pyramid structure is perfectly built.

Can I switch off my Beacon without breaking it?

Simply relocating a block within the pyramid base or placing a solid, non-transparent block above the beacon will automatically turn it off without damaging it.

Author

  • Ashish Arya

    I'm a tech enthusiast and lifelong gamer, hailing from the beautiful city of Chandigarh. My passions range from immersing myself in worlds like GTA V, COD, SIMS, Roblox and Minecraft to exploring the latest innovations in laptops and technology. Armed with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Application, I love sharing my insights through writing and engaging with fellow enthusiasts. Join me on my journey through the ever-evolving realms of gaming and tech!