Iansan: The New Bennett Replacement in Genshin Impact?

Bennett is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and valuable characters in *Genshin Impact*. Despite being available since the game's launch, he continues to be a staple in numerous team compositions. However, with the introduction of Iansan in *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, which launches on March 26, there's a buzz about whether she could serve as a new Bennett replacement. Let's delve into the details to see if Iansan truly lives up to this reputation.

Many *Genshin Impact* players have noted that HoYoverse may have inadvertently created overpowered support characters like Bennett, Xingqiu, and Xiangling. This has led the developers to introduce new characters with more specialized roles to encourage diversity in team setups. Iansan, a 4-Star Electro Polearm character from Natlan, is set to debut in Version 5.5, sparking discussions about her potential as a "Bennett replacement" due to similarities in their kits.

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

Iansan primarily functions as a support character, offering both damage buffs and healing, much like Bennett. Her Elemental Burst, The Three Principles of Power, is crucial for buffing other characters. However, unlike Bennett's stationary field, Iansan's approach is unique. She summons a Kinetic Energy Scale that follows the active character and boosts ATK based on her Nightsoul Points.

If Iansan has fewer than 42 out of 54 maximum Nightsoul Points, the ATK bonus scales off both her Nightsoul Points and ATK. With at least 42 Nightsoul Points, the ATK bonus increases and scales solely off her ATK, suggesting that building Iansan with an emphasis on ATK is key. The catch is that the active character must move for the Kinetic Energy Scale to function, logging the distance traveled and restoring Nightsoul Points to Iansan every second based on that distance.

While both characters provide healing, Bennett's field can restore up to 70% of the active character's HP, significantly outpacing Iansan's healing capabilities. Additionally, Bennett can heal himself, whereas Iansan cannot, giving Bennett a clear advantage in the healing department.

Another notable difference is elemental infusion. At C6, Bennett can infuse Pyro into the Normal Attacks of the active character, a feature Iansan lacks with Electro infusion. This can impact your team composition and strategy.

For exploration, Iansan offers some unique advantages. She can use Nightsoul Points to sprint and jump longer distances without consuming stamina. However, for Pyro-based teams, Bennett remains the superior choice due to Elemental Resonance, providing a +25% ATK buff and Pyro infusion.

Should You Choose Iansan or Bennett in Genshin Impact?

Iansan and Bennett share many similarities, almost like long-lost siblings, both in appearance and function. Yet, rather than replacing Bennett, Iansan appears to be a compelling alternative, particularly for secondary team compositions in the Spiral Abyss that require a similar support role.

One of Iansan's key advantages is the freedom from "Circle Impact," a term coined by the *Genshin Impact* community to describe the necessity of staying within Bennett's fixed field for buffs. With Iansan's Kinetic Energy Scale, players are encouraged to move their active character, offering a fresh gameplay experience compared to Bennett's stationary field.

If you're interested in trying out Iansan, you'll have the opportunity during Phase I of *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, launching on March 26.

*Genshin Impact is available to play now.*