Iansan: The New Bennett Replacement in Genshin Impact?

Bennett has long been celebrated as one of the most valuable characters in *Genshin Impact*. Since the game's launch, he has maintained his status as a key player in numerous team compositions due to his versatile support capabilities. However, with the introduction of Iansan in *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5 on March 26, many are questioning if she could be the new Bennett replacement. Let's delve into this comparison.

It's no secret among *Genshin Impact* players that HoYoverse may have accidentally created overly powerful support characters like Bennett, Xingqiu, and Xiangling. This has led to the development of new characters with more niche roles to entice players to diversify their lineups. Iansan, a 4-Star Electro Polearm user from Natlan, is set to debut and is often referred to as the "Bennett replacement" due to her similar support kit. But how do they stack up against each other?

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

Iansan's primary role is as a support character, focusing on providing DMG buffs and healing, much like Bennett. Her Elemental Burst, The Three Principles of Power, is central to her buffing capabilities. Unlike Bennett, who requires teammates to remain within his field to benefit from his buffs, Iansan's method involves a Kinetic Energy Scale. This scale follows the active character, boosting their ATK based on her Nightsoul Points.

Iansan's ATK bonus scales differently depending on her Nightsoul Points. If she has fewer than 42 out of a maximum of 54, the bonus is influenced by both her Nightsoul Points and her ATK. With at least 42 points, the bonus scales solely off her ATK, emphasizing the need for an ATK-focused build.

A unique aspect of Iansan's kit is that the Kinetic Scale requires the active character to move, logging the distance traveled and restoring Nightsoul Points accordingly. This movement can be both vertical and horizontal.

When it comes to healing, Bennett outperforms Iansan significantly. Bennett can restore up to 70% of the active character's HP, while Iansan's healing is less potent, and she cannot heal herself. In terms of elemental infusion, Bennett at C6 can imbue Pyro into the Normal Attacks of the active character, a feature Iansan lacks, which could be a disadvantage depending on your team composition.

For exploration, Iansan offers unique advantages. She can consume Nightsoul Points to sprint without using stamina and jump longer distances, adding a fresh dynamic to gameplay. However, for Pyro-focused teams, Bennett remains the superior choice due to Elemental Resonance, granting a +25% ATK buff and Pyro infusion.

Should You Choose Iansan or Bennett in Genshin Impact?

Iansan can be seen as a sibling to Bennett, sharing similar aesthetics and support functions. However, she doesn't replace him but rather offers a compelling alternative, particularly for secondary teams in the Spiral Abyss that require a Bennett-like support.

One of Iansan's key advantages is eliminating the need to stay within a fixed area for buffs, a common complaint among players about Bennett's Burst. Iansan's Kinetic Scale encourages active movement, providing a different gameplay experience.

You can try out Iansan during Phase I of *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, launching on March 26.

*Genshin Impact is available to play now.*