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The Beacon stands as one of the most powerful and sought-after utility blocks in the vast world of Minecraft. Often considered a definitive endgame item, it serves two critical functions: first, as a highly visible, towering column of light, offering a permanent marker for locating a base or important structure; and second, and far more significantly, as a device capable of granting powerful, sustained status effects to all nearby players. These effects—which include massive upgrades like Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost, and Strength—can fundamentally change the gameplay experience, drastically improving resource gathering, combat effectiveness, and overall mobility.

Acquiring and activating a Beacon is a serious undertaking that requires significant preparation, vast amounts of resources, and the successful completion of one of the game’s most challenging boss battles. It is the ultimate flex of wealth and power within the game, signaling a player’s mastery over its fundamental systems of mining, farming, and combat. The process is broken down into three major phases: crafting the Beacon block, constructing the metal or mineral pyramid required to power it, and finally, activating and configuring the status effects to grant major, permanent buffs.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of this monumental task. We will detail the necessary materials, provide a blueprint for the multi-tiered pyramid, explain the Beacon’s interface, and analyze the optimal status effects for maximizing your character’s capabilities in survival mode. Mastering the Beacon is the final step in transitioning from a surviving player to a truly dominant force.

Phase I: Crafting the Beacon Block

The first and most dangerous step toward obtaining major character upgrades is crafting the Beacon block itself. The recipe for the Beacon is deceptively simple, requiring three main ingredients, one of which is obtained only by defeating a formidable boss. The recipe calls for three blocks of Obsidian, five blocks of Glass, and the central, rarest component: one Nether Star.

Gathering the Essential Materials

The requirements for Obsidian and Glass are straightforward. Obsidian is obtained when water flows over a source block of lava, and it requires a Diamond Pickaxe to mine. Since only three pieces are needed, this should pose no significant challenge to an experienced player. Glass is made by smelting Sand blocks in a furnace. Five glass blocks are needed, meaning five sand blocks must be smelted. Both of these materials are easily acquired and often already present in a player’s storage.

The true bottleneck is the Nether Star. The Nether Star is a rare drop that is guaranteed only upon the defeat of the Wither boss. The Wither is an aggressive, hostile, floating undead boss that must be summoned by the player. It is considered one of the hardest mobs in the game, rivaled only by the Ender Dragon (which is also a required step to gain access to the full extent of the game’s content).

A Mini-Guide to Defeating the Wither

To summon the Wither, you must first gather its summoning materials. You need four blocks of Soul Sand or Soul Soil and three Wither Skeleton Skulls. The Soul Sand or Soul Soil can be found in abundance in the Nether’s Soul Sand Valley biome. The Wither Skeleton Skulls, however, are a rare drop from Wither Skeletons found primarily in Nether Fortresses. Wither Skeletons have a notoriously low skull drop rate, making this a time-consuming grind that typically requires the player to have established a well-equipped, enchanted combat setup.

Once the materials are collected, the Wither must be summoned. The summoning structure involves placing the four Soul Sand blocks in a “T” shape: a base of three horizontal blocks with a single block stacked centrally on top, forming the vertical element. The three Wither Skeleton Skulls are then placed on top of the three horizontal Soul Sand blocks. The moment the third skull is placed, the Wither is summoned.

Strategically, it is highly recommended to summon the Wither in an environment that heavily restricts its mobility and explosive damage. The most common and effective strategy is to summon it far beneath the surface in the Bedrock ceiling of the Nether, or deep underground in the Overworld in a large, contained tunnel. The Wither’s initial summoning phase involves a massive explosion, so distance and protective blocks are essential. The battle itself is fought in two phases: the first, where the Wither takes damage from all sources; and the second (entered when its health reaches half), where it gains Wither Armor, rendering it immune to arrows and requiring melee combat. Upon its defeat, it will drop the single Nether Star, which is all that is needed to complete the Beacon recipe.

Crafting the Beacon

With the Nether Star secured, the final crafting step takes place at a Crafting Table. The recipe follows a specific arrangement:

G G G G N G O O O

Where: G = Glass, N = Nether Star, and O = Obsidian. The resulting Beacon block will now be available in your inventory. However, the block itself is currently inert. It must be placed atop a multi-tiered pyramid built from specific mineral blocks to activate its incredible power.

Phase II: Building the Mineral Pyramid

The power of the Beacon is proportional to the size and tier of the pyramid it rests upon. The pyramid must be constructed entirely of Blocks of Iron, Gold, Diamond, Emerald, or Netherite (or any combination of these). The choice of block affects only the cost, not the Beacon’s functionality; all of these blocks possess the same conductive properties required for activation.

The Mineral Block Requirement: Iron, Gold, Diamond, Emerald, or Netherite

To form a single mineral block, you require nine ingots or gems of the corresponding material. This immense material cost is what makes the Beacon a true endgame goal, particularly for larger pyramids. While Diamond and Netherite blocks are the most expensive and aesthetically pleasing, most players opt for Iron or Gold blocks due to the relative ease of establishing highly efficient iron or gold farms later in the game. An Iron Golem farm, in particular, can automate the production of iron, making an Iron Pyramid the most practical and scalable choice for the maximum-power structure.

Pyramid Tiers and Power Levels

The pyramid is constructed in square tiers, with each tier being one block smaller on all sides than the tier below it. The Beacon block must be placed centrally on the top layer, and the structure must be built in an environment where the block’s top face has a direct, unobstructed line to the sky (no solid blocks, water, or lava above it). There are four tiers of Beacon pyramids, each unlocking a greater range and more powerful status effects. The base of the pyramid is always the largest layer, with the size of the base defined by the tier number.

The required size of the square base for each layer is as follows:

Tier 1 (Base size: 3×3 blocks): This is the smallest pyramid, requiring only 9 mineral blocks total. It unlocks the first set of primary effects (Speed I or Haste I) with a minimum range. While this requires the least effort, it offers limited benefits and range, making it suitable only for temporary or very small bases.
Tier 2 (Base size: 5×5 blocks): This structure requires a 5×5 base, a 3×3 second layer, and the Beacon on top. It requires 34 mineral blocks total (25 + 9). This tier unlocks the second set of primary effects (Resistance I or Jump Boost I) in addition to the first set. This is a common early-game goal for players seeking better mobility.
Tier 3 (Base size: 7×7 blocks): This structure requires a 7×7 base, a 5×5 second layer, and a 3×3 third layer. It requires 83 mineral blocks total (49 + 25 + 9). This tier unlocks the powerful Strength I effect, giving the player a significant combat boost. At this stage, the resource cost becomes substantial, making automated farming beneficial.
Tier 4 (Base size: 9×9 blocks): This is the maximum size pyramid, requiring a 9×9 base, 7×7, 5×5, and 3×3 layers. It requires a massive 164 mineral blocks total (81 + 49 + 25 + 9). This tier unlocks the ability to select the secondary status effect, Regeneration I, or to upgrade any of the five primary effects to Level II. This provides the ultimate and most versatile set of character upgrades.

Phase III: Activating and Configuring the Upgrades

Once the pyramid is constructed and the Beacon block is placed centrally on the top 3×3 layer, it will immediately activate, firing a brightly colored light beam into the sky. This powerful, visible light beam serves as a permanent, global landmark, visible from any distance and useful for navigation. However, the true utility is unlocked through the Beacon’s interface and the selection of status effects.

Activation and the Effect Selection Interface

To access the Beacon’s interface and configure your character upgrades, simply right-click (or use the equivalent “use item” button) on the Beacon block. A special graphical user interface (GUI) will open, presenting a grid of available status effects based on the tier of the pyramid beneath it.

The GUI is split into three horizontal sections: the Primary Power selection (Speed, Haste, Resistance, Jump Boost), the Level 4 Primary Power selection (Strength, only unlocked at Tier 3 or 4), and the Secondary Power selection (Regeneration, only available at Tier 4). To activate or change the effects, you must sacrifice a valuable resource to the Beacon’s internal mechanism.

The resource required for fuel can be Iron Ingot, Gold Ingot, Diamond, Emerald, or Netherite Ingot. These items act as a one-time “payment” to apply the selected status effect permanently (until the effect is changed). Using a Netherite Ingot provides no greater benefit than using an Iron Ingot, making the Iron Ingot the most cost-effective fuel source by a wide margin.

// Simplified steps for configuring the Beacon:

Open the Beacon GUI (Right-click).

Select the desired Primary Power (e.g., Haste I).

If Tier 3 or 4, select a Level 4 Primary Power (e.g., Strength I).

If Tier 4, you can choose to upgrade the Primary Power to Level II OR select the Secondary Power (Regeneration I).

Place one fuel item (e.g., Iron Ingot) into the dedicated slot at the bottom.

Click the green checkmark button.

Understanding the Status Effects and Range

The status effects granted by the Beacon are permanent and persistent as long as the player remains within the Beacon’s spherical area of influence. The range of the effect is directly linked to the pyramid’s tier, increasing with each layer of the pyramid.

Speed I/II: Increases the player’s movement speed by a significant percentage. This is invaluable for traversal, especially when paired with an Elytra, or simply for covering large distances in a base quickly. At Level II (Tier 4 only), the speed boost is even more pronounced, making movement effortless.
Haste I/II: Increases the player’s mining and attack speed. For miners, this directly affects how quickly they can break blocks, making the Beacon an essential utility for large-scale tunneling or resource collection. For combat, it speeds up the recharge of the attack strength meter. Haste II is widely considered the most valuable Level II upgrade for dedicated miners.
Resistance I: Reduces all incoming damage by 20%. This provides a constant, passive defense, equivalent to having permanently enchanted armor. It is particularly useful in areas with high hostile mob density or near dangerous structures.
Jump Boost I: Increases the player’s jump height and slightly reduces fall damage. This is highly useful for navigating difficult terrain, reaching high ledges without building up, and overcoming fences or low walls in combat scenarios.
Strength I: Increases the player’s melee attack damage by 130% (Java Edition) or 20% (Bedrock Edition). This is a massive offensive boost that significantly shortens the time required to defeat large mobs, bosses, or other players. It is the core upgrade for preparing for combat.
Regeneration I (Secondary Effect): Allows the player’s health to regenerate continuously over time. This effect can only be chosen as the Secondary Power at the maximum Tier 4 pyramid. This is the only Tier 4-exclusive effect and is extremely powerful for sustained survival and minimizing downtime after taking damage.

Range of Effects by Pyramid Tier

The area of effect (AoE) is measured as a radius extending horizontally and vertically from the Beacon block. The radius is measured in blocks from the center of the Beacon.

Tier 1 (3×3 base): Radius of 20 blocks.
Tier 2 (5×5 base): Radius of 30 blocks.
Tier 3 (7×7 base): Radius of 40 blocks.
Tier 4 (9×9 base): Radius of 50 blocks.

In all cases, the duration of the chosen effect is a generous 9 seconds. The effect is refreshed every 4 seconds as long as the player remains within the active range of the Beacon. This short duration is intentional, allowing players to briefly leave the area and still benefit from the effects for a short while before having to return for a refresh.

Phase IV: Advanced Strategies for Beacon Optimization

Once you have a fully powered, maximum-tier Beacon, the focus shifts to maximizing its utility and integrating it strategically into your base and resource-gathering operations. The large investment of resources means that maximizing its utility is key to recouping the initial cost.

The Haste II Mining Strategy

For players focused on large-scale mining operations—such as clearing out chunks or building massive underground structures—the Haste II effect is the undisputed champion. By choosing Haste II as the Level II primary effect, and equipping a tool with the Efficiency V enchantment, a player can achieve instantaneous mining for certain low-resistance blocks like stone, netherrack, and wood. This dramatically reduces the time spent on gathering resources and excavation, directly contributing to the player’s ability to gather the massive amounts of iron needed for multiple Beacon pyramids.

The optimal setup involves locating the primary Beacon adjacent to the main mining area or using minecarts to quickly transport the player back into the Beacon’s range for the 9-second refresh. Since a player can only have one Level II effect active at a time, dedicated mining teams often build a Beacon specifically for Haste II, while combat-oriented bases might focus on Strength II.

Building Multiple Beacons for Specialized Effects

Because the resources needed for an Iron Pyramid can be generated automatically and infinitely via a well-designed Iron Golem farm, advanced players rarely stop at one Beacon. The ideal strategy is to construct multiple Tier 4 pyramids and place them strategically around a large base to provide a network of specialized effects. This allows players to receive different Level II upgrades depending on their activity.

The Combat Beacon (Strength II): Placed near a defensive wall, mob farm collection area, or arena. This provides the highest possible damage boost, ensuring quick dispatch of large threats or efficient mob grinding. The secondary effect here is often Resistance I to enhance survivability.
The Mining Beacon (Haste II): Positioned at the main entrance to a mine or underground quarry. This is the cornerstone of large-scale excavation and resource gathering. The secondary effect often remains Resistance I for protection against unexpected cave mobs.
The Transit Beacon (Speed II): Located in a central hub or a main tunnel connecting different parts of a sprawling base. The Level II speed boost drastically cuts travel time across a large build, especially when moving between different resource farms.
The Emergency Beacon (Regeneration I and Resistance I): While Regeneration is only Level I, it is a constant passive heal that can be critical. This Beacon can be placed near a central chest room or safety vault, providing a last-resort recovery zone with a passive health boost and constant damage resistance.
Aesthetics and Range Overlap: When placing multiple Beacons, always ensure their pyramid structures are separated by at least one block to prevent them from interfering with the clear sky requirement. Strategic placement can be used to overlap the effects of one primary Beacon (e.g., Speed II) with a secondary effect from another (e.g., Resistance I), effectively granting the player two powerful, permanent, Level II-equivalent buffs simultaneously. This dual-effect optimization is the pinnacle of Beacon strategy.

Since the activation fuel is consumed only when the effect is changed—not when the effect is continuously applied—the long-term maintenance cost is almost zero, outside of the initial investment of the materials for the pyramid and the Nether Star itself. Players should configure their desired effects and leave them running permanently, as there is no downside to having a powerful utility block active.

Pyramid Material Efficiency: Iron vs. Gold vs. Diamond

While the choice of mineral block does not affect the Beacon’s functionality, it is crucial for resource planning. The total cost for a maximum Tier 4 pyramid is 164 mineral blocks, equating to 1,476 ingots or gems. This is the key difference:

Iron Pyramid: This is the most efficient choice for a multi-Beacon network. Iron is easily farmed automatically with an Iron Golem farm. Once set up, the resource flow is infinite, making the cost of 1,476 Iron Ingots negligible. This is the recommended choice for functional, utility-focused Beacons.
Gold Pyramid: Similar to Iron, Gold is also farmable via a Gold Farm (using Zombie Piglin mechanics in the Nether). However, Gold Farms are often more complex to build and maintain than Iron Golem farms, making it a viable but less straightforward option for mass production. It provides a distinct aesthetic for advanced bases.
Diamond/Emerald Pyramid: These are the least efficient choices for utility. Diamonds and Emeralds are not efficiently farmable in large quantities; they are acquired through mining or village trading. While they can be used for the pyramid, their extreme rarity means that building a single one of these often consumes resources that could be better spent on tools, armor, or trading. They are primarily used for aesthetic Beacons, where the sheer display of wealth is the goal.

The long-term goal for an endgame player is not simply to build one Beacon, but to establish the resource infrastructure—namely the Iron Golem Farm—that can sustain the construction of multiple Tier 4 Iron Pyramids. This network ensures that the player is always within range of a major character upgrade, regardless of where they are operating within their claimed territory.

Conclusion

The journey to crafting and using a Beacon represents the ultimate progression challenge in Minecraft. It begins with the formidable task of summoning and defeating the Wither for the single Nether Star, the rarest component. The next step, constructing the Tier 4 pyramid—requiring an immense investment of 1,476 ingots (ideally iron for efficiency)—is a testament to a player’s mining and farming mastery. Once active, the Beacon transforms the player’s experience by offering permanent, persistent Level II character upgrades within a 50-block radius, including the game-changing Haste II for instantaneous mining or Strength II for superior combat. By establishing a network of specialized Beacons across their base, players can strategically select a combination of effects like Speed, Resistance, and Regeneration to create the ultimate survival powerhouse, cementing the Beacon not just as a landmark, but as the essential, enduring core of an endgame character’s augmented abilities.