Light Crystal

Light Crystals are light-emitting minerals that provide a spherical field of light in Dark Aether. The orb of protective light nullifies the corrosive effects of Dark Aether's atmosphere and replenishes Samus's health one unit per second she remains in the light. The Luminoth distributed the crystals in order to penetrate deeper into Dark Aether during their war against the Ing. Unlike the otherwise similar light beacons, which emit a temporary asylum when activated, light crystals are permanent fixtures.

Samus fighting a Warrior Ing within the protective confines of the beacon. The light beacon itself can be seen on the left side of the image.

Charged Crystals

The light crystals are able to be charged with different energies in order to enhance their protective powers. Samus can use her various beams to change the properties of the crystals.

• Energized Crystal: When shot with the Light Beam, the crystals become lethal to Ing that step within the crystal's light. The effect lasts only a short time, and does not replenish Samus's health any faster than the neutral light crystal.
• Super Crystal: Samus may use her Annihilator Beam to charge the crytals. In this state, crystal light not only becomes lethal to the Ing, but also attracts them towards the light source. Supercharging the crystals with the Annihilator Beam is an easy way to deal with the tougher Warrior Ing and the Hunter Ing. Darklings are still harmed by the supercharged light, but are not attracted to it. The effect lasts only a short time, and does not replenish Samus's health any faster than the neutral light crystal.
• Nullified Crystal: When shot with the dark energy, the light crystal temporarily loses its effect. Samus may nullify a crystal herself with a blast from the Dark Beam. The nullification may be reversed with a shot from either the Light or Annihilator Beams, or with a charged shot from the Power Beam. Crystals nullified by Amorbis cannot be recharged by Samus; her attempts will simply ricochet off the dark energy.

Light Beacons

Light beacons are temporary light-emitting orbs that must be shot before they are activated. The beacons respond to Samus's weapons the same way a light crystal does. Beacons must be shot occasionally, lest they revert to their inactive stasis.