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MC Calc

Beacon Pyramid Calculator

Java Edition

Pick a pyramid tier and block type to see exactly how many blocks (and ingots or gems) you need, how far the effects reach and which powers unlock. Then choose any color and get the stained-glass stack that tints the beam closest to it.

Pyramid

Any mix of these blocks works — the type is purely cosmetic.

Beam color

Result

Blocks needed
164blocks
2.6 stacks
iron ingots
1,476
9 per block
Effect range
50blocks
radius, plus up to build height
Effect duration
17s
re-applied every 4 s

Layers

Layer 1
3×3 = 9
Layer 2
5×5 = 25
Layer 3
7×7 = 49
Layer 4
9×9 = 81

Layer 1 sits directly under the beacon; each layer below is 2 blocks wider.

Powers

  • 1Speed I · Haste I
  • 2Resistance I · Jump Boost I
  • 3Strength I
  • 4Regeneration I (secondary) · Primary power at level II

Glass stack

Target
→
#3AB3DA
Exact match
ΔE 0.0
  1. 1Light Blue Stained Glassbottom, on the beacon
Stack the glass above the beacon, bottom first. Stained glass panes color the beam the same way as blocks.

How it works

A beacon sits on a stepped pyramid of iron, gold, emerald, diamond or netherite blocks. Each layer is two blocks wider than the one above: 3×3, 5×5, 7×7 and 9×9. You can mix block types freely — they look different but work exactly the same.

More layers mean a bigger effect area and more powers. The effect radius is 20, 30, 40 or 50 blocks around the beacon, reaching the same distance down and all the way up to build height above.

Stained glass above the beacon tints the beam. The bottom glass sets the color and every glass above blends 50/50 with the color so far, so the top block has the most influence. The calculator searches thousands of stacks (up to six blocks) and picks the one closest to your color by perceived difference (ΔE).

Formulas

Blocks for tier n
Σ (2k + 1)² for k = 1…n → 9, 34, 83, 164
Effect radius
10 + 10 × tier → 20, 30, 40, 50 blocks
Effect duration
9 + 2 × tier seconds (re-applied every 4 s)
Beam color
c₁ = glass₁; cₙ = (cₙ₋₁ + glassₙ) ÷ 2

FAQ

How many blocks does a full beacon need?

A full tier-4 pyramid needs 164 blocks: 9 + 25 + 49 + 81. That is 1,476 iron ingots if you use iron blocks.

Can I mix different blocks in the pyramid?

Yes. Iron, gold, emerald, diamond and netherite blocks can be mixed in any pattern; the type has no effect on range or powers.

What is the range of a beacon?

20 blocks at tier 1, 30 at tier 2, 40 at tier 3 and 50 at tier 4, measured from the beacon horizontally. Vertically it covers the same distance downward and up to the build limit.

How do I change the beacon beam color?

Place stained glass or stained glass panes above the beacon. The first pane sets the color; each pane above averages with the current color, so stacking several lets you mix colors the 16 dyes can't make alone.

Which powers does each tier unlock?

Tier 1: Speed and Haste. Tier 2 adds Resistance and Jump Boost. Tier 3 adds Strength. Tier 4 unlocks Regeneration as a secondary power or level II of your primary power.

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