Ultimate Guide to Beacons in Minecraft 1.21: Crafting, Tricks, and Mods

Beacons are essential for a Minecraft base. Their light beam serves as a location marker visible from afar, while their buffs provide significant advantages within a specific area. Despite the challenge of obtaining them, beacons remain one of the most sought-after rare blocks in the game.

This guide covers how to craft, build, and use a beacon in Minecraft 1.21, along with tips, tricks, and recommended mods to enhance your beacon experience.

1. How to Craft a Beacon Block in Minecraft 1.21

To craft a beacon block, you need the following materials:

• 5x Glass
• 3x Obsidian
• 1x Nether Star

Glass is made by smelting sand in a furnace, and obsidian is mined with a diamond or netherite pickaxe after pouring water over lava. The Nether Star, however, requires defeating the Wither, a challenging boss mob.

How to Get a Nether Star

To obtain a Nether Star, you must defeat the Wither. First, gather three Wither Skulls by farming Wither Skeletons in the Nether. A sword with Looting III increases drop rates, though it may take hundreds of kills. Alternatively, lead a Charged Creeper through a Nether portal—its explosion guarantees a skull drop from Wither Skeletons.

To summon the Wither, build a T-shaped structure using four blocks of Soul Sand or Soul Soil, then place three Wither Skulls on top. The Wither spawns with a large explosion, so prepare a safe area.

The Wither is one of Minecraft's toughest enemies. Equip a full set of diamond or netherite armor and weapons, stock up on healing and regeneration potions, food, and milk to cure the Wither effect. Upon defeat, the Wither drops a Nether Star for crafting a beacon.

2. How to Build a Beacon in Minecraft 1.21

For a beacon to function, place it on a pyramid-shaped foundation made of Iron, Gold, Diamond, Emerald, or Netherite blocks. The beacon must have a clear view of the sky. Iron is the most cost-effective option, as it’s abundant and can be farmed from Iron Golems in villages. Emeralds are viable if you have an efficient villager trading system.

How to Farm Iron from Villages

Iron Golem farming leverages village spawning mechanics. Villagers spawn an Iron Golem if none are within a 16-block radius and 30 seconds have passed. Golems require a 3-block-high transparent space to spawn.

To boost spawn rates, trap a zombie in the village to panic villagers, prompting golem spawns. Build a two-floor bunker with 10 beds per floor and a connecting stairway. Include a doorway leading to a bridge high enough for golems to pass under.

Create a 7-8 block spawning area around the bunker, starting one block above the lowest floor. Channel golems into a killing area with lava, a hopper, and a collection chest for easy iron collection.

How to Build the Beacon Pyramid

Beacons support four pyramid heights. Larger pyramids unlock more powers and extend the effect range. The block type is cosmetic, and mixing block types doesn’t affect functionality.

Full Powered Beacon

For maximum efficiency, use a shared base for multiple beacons to access all powers with fewer blocks. This requires 244 mineral blocks on a 10x11 base.

How to Change Beacon Colors

Place a stained glass block or pane on top of the beacon to color its beam. Multiple stained glass blocks average the colors for unique customization.

3. How to Select Beacon Powers

Right-click the beacon to access its interface. Activate powers by inserting a Netherite Ingot, Emerald, Diamond, Gold Ingot, or Iron Ingot, regardless of the pyramid’s material.

The five Primary Powers are:

• Haste I: Increases mining and attack speed.
• Speed I: Boosts movement speed.
• Jump Boost I: Enhances jump distance and height (2-level pyramid required).
• Resistance I: Reduces most incoming damage (2-level pyramid required).
• Strength I: Increases melee damage (3-level pyramid required).

Secondary Powers (4-level pyramid required):

• Regeneration I: Regenerates health.
• Upgrade a Primary Power to Level II.

Powers persist for 5–9 seconds after leaving the range, or 13–17 seconds with a full pyramid.

4. Tips and Tricks for Beacons

Maximize your beacon’s potential with these tips:

• Landmark Use: The beam is visible up to your render distance, making it ideal for locating your base.
• Wither Strategy: Fight the Wither underground to restrict its movement. Use beds in the Nether for explosive damage.
• Multi-Beacon Efficiency: Share a pyramid base for multiple beacons to access all powers with fewer resources.
• Haste Optimization: Place beacons near mines or farms to speed up resource collection.
• Range Check: In Java Edition, use the F3 debug screen to confirm you’re within the beacon’s 20–50 block range.
• Custom Colors: Stack stained glass for unique beam colors or use panes for a subtler effect.
• Easy Repairs: Fix a damaged pyramid to reactivate the beacon without needing another ingot.
• Dual Effects: In Java Edition, select two Level I primary powers by choosing one, upgrading to Level II, then selecting another.

5. Mods for Beacons

Enhance beacons with these mods compatible with Minecraft 1.21 (check CurseForge or Modrinth for downloads):

• CERBON's Better Beacons: Adds a new UI, extra effects, and customizable features for beacons.
• Better Beacon Placement: Simplifies pyramid building by allowing right-click placement of mineral blocks.
• Beacon Overhaul: Revamps beacon mechanics with new upgrades and usage options.
• Beacons For All: Extends beacon effects to pets, mobs, or other entities for broader utility.