Beacon acts as a flare when shot. When it rests, it explodes, dealing damage. A bunch of smaller projectiles fly outwards, bounded by two invisible barriers that apply only to the beacon's projectiles, dealing more damage as they come down. As the two barriers are both very close to where the initial shot landed, it is highly recommended to land a direct hit with beacon. Note, should the tiny projectiles go through a portal, the barriers will not apply and the projectiles will fly away like normal.
Acts just like beacon, except a larger projectile is launched straight up in the air with the smaller projectiles and has a slightly bigger explosion radius.