Beam Node

Beam Node is a basic power distribution block that transmits electricity in straight lines to other blocks aligned on the four cardinal directions. It stores a small amount of power, which lets connected consumers keep operating for a short time even if production temporarily falls below demand.

When placed, Beam Node automatically seeks the nearest valid power node or power-consuming block within 10 tiles in each orthogonal direction and creates connections on its own. These links cannot be configured manually, so placement is important: it is best used in layouts where power lines can run cleanly along rows and columns. Its larger counterpart, Beam Tower, works on the same general principle but conducts power to all adjacent blocks instead.

Beam Node behaves differently from Batteries. If it is destroyed while holding power, it does not create sparks, unlike Batteries. It can also receive power from non-orthogonal nodes, including Power Source and Power Void, and Beam Nodes and Beam Towers can be severed by any Plastanium Wall or Battery Diode, after which they cannot be manually reconnected.

A few practical points make it easier to use effectively:

• Its connections are limited to straight, orthogonal paths, so it fits best into grid-like power layouts.
• Because it stores a small buffer of power, it can smooth out brief shortages and keep consumer blocks running at full efficiency for a little while.
• It reveals a very small radius of fog of war, about 1 block, on maps where that setting is enabled.
• Since its links are automatic and cannot be managed by hand, place it carefully to avoid unwanted connections or broken lines.

Beam Node was added in Build 136. Its build time was later increased in Build 147, from 0.16 seconds to 0.4 seconds. Its behavior matches the power beam style seen in Mindustry Classic, where nodes connected in orthogonal beams.