"Is Iansan Replacing Bennett in Genshin Impact?"

Bennett has long been hailed as one of the most valuable and versatile characters in *Genshin Impact*. Since the game's launch, he has maintained his status as a crucial component in numerous team compositions. However, with the introduction of Iansan in *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, which launches on March 26, players are buzzing about whether she could be the new "Bennett replacement." Let's delve into the details to see if Iansan truly steps into Bennett's shoes.

*Genshin Impact* enthusiasts often argue that HoYoverse inadvertently made support characters like Bennett, Xingqiu, and Xiangling too powerful, leading the developers to introduce new characters with more targeted roles to diversify player strategies. Iansan, a 4-Star Electro Polearm wielder from Natlan, is set to debut in this update, and her kit bears a striking resemblance to Bennett's. But does she truly replace him?

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

Iansan's role as a support character focuses on providing damage buffs and healing, much like Bennett. Her Elemental Burst, The Three Principles of Power, is central to her buffing capabilities. However, while Bennett's buffs are confined to a static field, Iansan's approach is more dynamic. She summons a Kinetic Energy Scale that follows the active character, boosting ATK based on her Nightsoul Points.

If Iansan's Nightsoul Points are below 42 out of a maximum of 54, her ATK bonus scales with both her Nightsoul Points and ATK. Once she reaches or exceeds 42 points, the bonus increases and scales solely based on her ATK, making it essential to build her with ATK in mind.

The unique aspect of Iansan's buffing mechanism is that it requires the active character to move. Both vertical and horizontal movements contribute to the distance logged by the Kinetic Energy Scale, which then replenishes Iansan's Nightsoul Points every second.

When it comes to healing, Bennett has a clear advantage, restoring up to 70% of the active character's HP, while Iansan's healing is less potent, and she cannot heal herself. In the realm of elemental infusion, Bennett can infuse Pyro into the active character's Normal Attacks at C6, a feature absent in Iansan's kit, which might be a disadvantage depending on your team's needs.

Iansan does offer some exploration benefits, such as consuming Nightsoul Points to sprint or jump longer distances without using stamina. However, for Pyro-focused teams, Bennett remains superior due to Elemental Resonance, providing a +25% ATK buff and Pyro infusion.

Should You Choose Iansan or Bennett in Genshin Impact?

Iansan can be seen as Bennett's counterpart, given their similarities in appearance and function. Yet, she doesn't replace him outright; rather, she serves as a compelling alternative, especially for secondary teams in the Spiral Abyss that require a similar support role.

The key difference is the gameplay style. Iansan's Kinetic Energy Scale encourages movement, eliminating the need to stay within a fixed field as required by Bennett's Burst, thus offering a fresh dynamic to the gameplay.

If you're interested in trying out Iansan, you can do so during Phase I of *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, available from March 26.

*Genshin Impact is available to play now.*