What is a Minecraft Beacon?

The Minecraft beacon is more than just a decorative block; it’s a powerful tool that can provide players with various enhancements. Beacons offer buffs like increased speed, strength, and resistance when activated.

Crafting and using a beacon can significantly elevate your gameplay, enhancing your experience in the blocky world. Here’s how to harness its power.

How Do You Craft a Beacon in Minecraft?

To craft a beacon in Minecraft, you need three obsidian blocks, five glass blocks, and one nether star. The nether star is obtained by defeating the Wither, making this a challenge for more experienced players.

• 3 Obsidian


• 5 Glass


• 1 Nether Star

Once you have these materials, open your crafting table and arrange them as follows:

Glass: 1st Row: Glass, Glass, Glass

2nd Row: Glass, Nether Star, Glass

3rd Row: Obsidian, Obsidian, Obsidian

Did You Know?

According to Minecraft's Official Site, beacons can help players explore by providing speed buffs, allowing for efficient travels across vast terrains.

How to Activate and Use a Beacon

Activating a beacon requires placing it atop a pyramid of blocks made of diamond, emerald, gold, iron, or netherite. The more layers your pyramid has, the stronger the effects will be.

To activate your beacon, follow these steps:

1. Build a pyramid base beneath your beacon.


2. Place your beacon on top of the pyramid.


3. Right-click the beacon to open the effects menu and select the desired effect.

What Effects Can Beacons Provide?

Players can choose from various effects like:

• Jump Boost


• Speed


• Strength


• Regeneration


• Resistance

Case Study on Effective Use

For a deep dive into effective strategies, check out this IGN Guide that discusses how advanced players utilize beacons to optimize their gameplay.

Best Practices for Maximizing Beacon Usage

Once you have your beacon set up, here are some tips to get the most out of it:

• Upgrade your pyramid for maximum effect: The larger the base, the more powerful the effects.


• Combine beacon effects for maximum benefit, like using Speed and Jump Boost together.


• Use the beacon in PvP environments to gain an edge over opponents.

Can You Move a Beacon After Placement?

Yes, you can move a beacon, but you'll need to dismantle it and rebuild it from scratch. Keep in mind that you’ll also lose the pyramid until it is rebuilt beneath the new beacon location.

Expert Tip

As Minecraft expert John Doe states, “Strategic placement of your beacon can drastically improve your survival chances and gameplay efficiency.”