Iansan: Genshin Impact's New Bennett Replacement?

In the world of *Genshin Impact*, Bennett has long been celebrated as one of the most valuable characters, maintaining his relevance and utility in numerous team compositions since the game's inception. However, with the arrival of Iansan in *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, launching on March 26, many players are questioning whether she could be the new Bennett replacement. Let's delve into the details to see how these two characters stack up against each other.

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

Iansan, a 4-Star Electro Polearm character from Natlan, steps into the game as a support character, much like Bennett. Her primary role is to offer DMG buffs and healing, with her Elemental Burst, The Three Principles of Power, being central to her support capabilities. Unlike Bennett's stationary field, Iansan summons a Kinetic Energy Scale that follows the active character, boosting ATK based on her Nightsoul Points. If Iansan has fewer than 42 out of a maximum of 54 Nightsoul Points, the ATK bonus scales off both her Nightsoul Points and ATK. However, with at least 42 Nightsoul Points, the ATK bonus increases and scales solely off her ATK, making ATK-focused builds crucial for her.

The unique aspect of Iansan's Kinetic Scale is that it requires the active character to move, logging the distance traveled and restoring Nightsoul Points to Iansan based on this movement. This adds a dynamic element to her gameplay. While Iansan does provide healing, Bennett's healing capability is significantly stronger, restoring up to 70% HP, and he can heal himself, unlike Iansan.

Another key difference is elemental infusion. At C6, Bennett can infuse Pyro into the Normal Attacks of the active character, a feature Iansan lacks with Electro. This can be a significant factor depending on your team composition.

For exploration, Iansan offers unique advantages. She can use Nightsoul Points to sprint without consuming stamina and jump longer distances, which can be beneficial for navigating the game's world. However, for Pyro-focused teams, Bennett remains superior due to Elemental Resonance, which provides a +25% ATK buff and Pyro infusion.

Should You Choose Iansan or Bennett in Genshin Impact?

Iansan and Bennett share striking similarities in appearance and functionality, leading some to call her Bennett's "long-lost sister." However, rather than replacing Bennett, Iansan serves as a strong alternative, particularly for secondary teams in challenges like the Spiral Abyss, where a similar support role is needed.

One of Iansan's major advantages is the flexibility her Kinetic Scale offers. Unlike Bennett's stationary field, which requires characters to stay within it for buffs (a strategy humorously referred to as "Circle Impact" by the player base), Iansan encourages active movement, providing a fresh gameplay experience.

If you're interested in experimenting with Iansan, you can try her out in Phase I of *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, set to release on March 26.

*Genshin Impact is available to play now.*