Beacons in Minecraft emit light from far distances, making them visible even from a distance. They’re also very useful if you want to enhance your actions specifically. But how do you build a beacon in Minecraft? How many iron blocks do you need to create a full beacon?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about beacons in Minecraft. Read on to learn more!
How Many Iron Blocks for a Full Beacon?
You will need 164 iron blocks for a full beacon. This is also equivalent to 1,476 ingots. In addition to iron blocks, you’ll also need 3 obsidian blocks and a nether star. To get maximum benefits, you need to make a quadruple-layered pyramid.
Here’s the number of iron blocks per layer of beacon:
| Layer | No. of Iron Blocks |
| Layer 1 | 81 |
| Layer 2 | 49 |
| Layer 3 | 25 |
| Layer 4 | 9 |
Remember: The beacon block should always be placed on top of the center block in the 3×3 area on the first layer.
You can build a full four-layer beacon or a smaller version. For example, you can build a three-layer beacon with a 7×7 base instead of a full 9×9 pyramid. A smaller pyramid won’t really give you that much power.
What Is the Range of Beacons in Minecraft?
The range of beacons in Minecraft extends from 20 to 50 blocks horizontally and reaches from the base to the building limit vertically. The number of levels in the pyramid base determines the range. The range beneath the beacon is 14 blocks.
Here’s a table of the pyramid level and their corresponding range of beacons:
| Type of Pyramid | Range of Beacon |
| 3×3 Pyramid (1 layer) | 20 blocks in all directions |
| 5×5 Pyramid (2 layers) | 30 blocks in all directions |
| 7×7 Pyramid (3 layers) | 40 blocks in all directions |
| 9×9 Pyramid (4 layers) | 50 blocks in all directions |
The size of your pyramid affects the duration of your status effects and provides more levels and a variety of effects.
Additionally, the beacon emits a light value of 15 in all directions, eliminating the worry of mobs spawning in the dark. It also serves as a built-in guide for your adventures!
The beam is visible as far as your game allows, making it convenient for exploration without leaving trails or constantly checking your maps.
Just imagine being able to spot your beacon from up to 256 blocks away – that’s quite a distance! It’s like your base always says, “Hey, I’m over here!”
How to Build a Beacon in Minecraft
Here are the steps to build a beacon in Minecraft:
Step 1: Collect Resources
Get three obsidian and five glass blocks, and defeat the Wither to obtain a Nether star.
Step 2: Craft the Beacon on the Crafting Table
Here are the steps to craft the beacon:
- Step 1. Place three obsidian blocks in the bottom row and middle column.
- Step 2. Fill the top row with three glass blocks.
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Step 3. Place the Nether star in the center slot.
- Step 4. Collect the crafted beacon.
Step 3: Choose Where to Build Your Beacon Pyramid
Step 4: Build the Pyramid
Use iron, gold, emerald, or Netherite blocks to make a 3×3 square for each layer. You can build up to four layers. You will need 164 iron blocks for a full beacon. A full beacon or max beacon can give you maximum benefits.
Step 5: Place the Beacon on the Pyramid’s Top Layer
Center the beacon on the top layer’s middle block.
The next thing you need to do is activate the Beacon.
Need to light up your world more? Find out how to put light sources and see light levels in Minecraft here.
How to Activate a Beacon in Minecraft
To activate a beacon in Minecraft, you must put it on top of the pyramid, right-click it, choose a main power, insert a source material like a diamond, and click the checkmark. Ensure there’s nothing above the beacon except transparent blocks like glass or leaves.
This will only work if you have built your pyramid.
When you activate the beacon, you can choose a cool status effect to become a bit of a Minecraft superhero. There are 5 powers to pick from:
- Speed.
Run faster. - Haste.
Mine and attack faster. - Resistance.
Take less damage (requires a 2-level pyramid). -
Jump Boost.
Jump higher and farther. - Strength.
Deal more melee damage (requires a 3-level pyramid).
If you build a one-layer Pyramid, you get Speed and Haste. You must construct a two-layer pyramid to unlock Resistance and Jump Boost. To unlock Strength, you’ll need to construct a three-layer pyramid.
All of these powers start at level 1. With a four-layer pyramid, you can choose a main power and a bonus power. The bonus can be level 1 Regeneration or level 2 of your main power. Super cool, right?
Want to enhance the appearance of your world? Here are the best Minecraft for low-end PCs.
Why Won’t Your Beacon Activate?
These are why your beacon won’t activate:
- No Sky Access.
Ensure there’s nothing solid above the beacon except for glass or leaves. - Missing Materials.
Ensure you have the right materials (like Netherite Ingot, Emerald, Diamond, Gold Ingot, or Iron Ingot) to activate the beacon. - Incomplete Pyramid.
Check if you built a pyramid with enough layers under the beacon. - Incorrect Placement.
Put the beacon directly on top of the pyramid in the right position. - Missed Activation Steps. When interacting with the beacon, choose the effects, insert the correct material, and confirm your choice.
Fixing these things should get your beacon up and running!
If none of the above works, there might be a bug. Check this Minecraft Support article on how a beacon was corrupted.
Do Beacons Work Underwater?
Yes, beacons work underwater, but the beam may be harder to see because water affects its visibility. You can make a 3×3 square underwater and place the beacon in the middle. Then, you can either place a glass above it or not.
Although the water can affect the beacon’s visibility, its power will still work within range if you meet the activation requirements.
Can You Break Beacons?
Yes, you can break beacons in Minecraft using a pickaxe. If the pickaxe has Silk Touch, you get the whole beacon back; otherwise, breaking it yields a Nether star, but the beacon structure is lost. Be careful, as breaking the beacon also removes the pyramid underneath it.
Some Minecraft players employ TNT explosions strategically to dismantle beacons. This method allows the beacon to drop as an item with reduced risk, offering an alternative approach to retrieving or relocating these valuable structures within the game.
Can Creepers Destroy Beacons?
No, Creepers cannot destroy beacons in Minecraft. Their explosive attacks primarily damage players and the surrounding environment. However, they do not specifically target or damage beacon blocks.
Creepers can damage and destroy natural terrain, buildings, and other blocks within their blast radius. Their explosions are more of a general destructive force in the game. You should be cautious around Creepers to prevent damage to your world.
Get That Beacon Working!
Now you know how many iron blocks are needed to create a full beacon, how to make one, and how to activate it!
Beacons in Minecraft can help you level up by giving you powerful status effects within its range. When activated on top of a pyramid, beacons offer benefits such as increased movement speed, faster mining and attack speeds, resistance to damage, enhanced jumping abilities, and boosted melee damage.
The beacon’s effects make mining and combat more efficient and enjoyable, contributing to a smoother and more rewarding gameplay experience. Also, larger and more advanced beacons further enhance your overall capabilities in the game.
Build bigger pyramids that offer extended ranges and additional potent effects!
