Beacon icon PNG

Beacon in Minecraft: pyramid, powers and range

The beacon is a block that, placed on a pyramid of mineral blocks with a view of the sky, shoots a beam upward and gives effects to nearby players. The pyramid can have one to four layers of iron, gold, emerald, diamond or netherite blocks, mixed however you like. More layers mean more range and more powers. It is crafted from a nether star, obsidian and glass.

To pick a power you pay with an iron, gold or netherite ingot, an emerald or a diamond; any of them works the same. One layer gives Speed and Haste; two add Resistance and Jump Boost; three add Strength. A full four-layer pyramid unlocks a secondary power: Regeneration, or raising the primary one to level II.

Every 4 seconds the beacon applies its effect for 9 seconds plus 2 per layer, so it lingers for a while after you leave its area. If the pyramid is broken the effect switches off or weakens, but repairing it brings back the power you picked without paying again. Several beacons can share the same pyramid.

The beam rises 2048 blocks and is cut off by any opaque block except bedrock, which is why it still works under the Nether roof. Stained glass above it changes its colour, and stacking several blends the colours. It also gives light level 15 even when inactive, and pistons cannot move it.

Sources: minecraft.wiki/Beacon