Iansan: The New Bennett Replacement in Genshin Impact?

Bennett is renowned as one of the most versatile and valuable characters in *Genshin Impact*. Since the game's inception, he has maintained his relevance and is a staple in numerous team compositions. However, with the introduction of Iansan in *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5 on March 26, many players are wondering if she could be the new Bennett replacement. Is Iansan poised to take over Bennett's role, or is she merely a different flavor of support?

It's widely acknowledged among *Genshin Impact* enthusiasts that HoYoverse may have unintentionally crafted characters like Bennett, Xingqiu, and Xiangling with overpowering support abilities. This has prompted the development of new characters with more niche roles to diversify player strategies. Iansan, the upcoming 4-Star Electro Polearm wielder from Natlan, has sparked discussions about being a "Bennett replacement" due to similarities in their abilities. Let's delve into how Iansan's kit compares to Bennett's and see if she lives up to the hype.

How Does Iansan’s Kit Compare to Bennett’s in Genshin Impact?

Iansan, much like Bennett, is designed as a support character, focusing on providing damage buffs and healing. Her Elemental Burst, "The Three Principles of Power," is central to her buffing capabilities, akin to Bennett’s field. However, Iansan's approach differs; she summons a Kinetic Energy Scale that follows the active character, boosting their ATK based on her Nightsoul Points rather than requiring them to remain in a specific area.

If Iansan's Nightsoul Points are below 42 out of a possible 54, the ATK bonus scales with both her Nightsoul Points and her ATK. At 42 or more Nightsoul Points, the bonus increases and scales solely off her ATK, making ATK-centric builds optimal for her. The unique twist is that the active character must move to gain buffs, as the scale tracks movement distance and restores Nightsoul Points accordingly.

While both characters offer healing, Bennett's healing capability, which can restore up to 70% HP, significantly outpaces Iansan's. Additionally, Iansan cannot heal herself, unlike Bennett, making him the superior choice for healing needs. Another key difference is elemental infusion; Bennett can infuse Pyro into the Normal Attacks of the active character at C6, whereas Iansan does not provide Electro infusion, which could be a disadvantage depending on your team setup.

For exploration, Iansan has some unique advantages, such as using Nightsoul Points to sprint and jump longer distances without stamina consumption. However, Bennett remains the preferred choice for Pyro teams due to Elemental Resonance, which offers a +25% ATK buff and Pyro infusion.

Should You Choose Iansan or Bennett in Genshin Impact?

Iansan and Bennett share striking similarities, both in appearance and functionality, leading some to call her Bennett's "long-lost sister." Yet, rather than replacing Bennett, Iansan appears to be a strong alternative, particularly useful in secondary team compositions in Spiral Abyss where a similar support role is needed.

One of Iansan's significant advantages is the freedom from the need to stay within a fixed area for buffs, a gameplay mechanic often humorously referred to as "Circle Impact" by the *Genshin Impact* community. Iansan's Kinetic Scale encourages movement, offering a fresh gameplay dynamic compared to Bennett's stationary field.

If you're eager to experiment with Iansan, you can try her out during Phase I of *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, launching on March 26.

*Genshin Impact is available to play now.*