Is Iansan the New Bennett Swap in Genshin Impact?

Bennett is often hailed as one of the most valuable characters in *Genshin Impact*. Since the game's inception, he has maintained his status as a crucial member of numerous team compositions. However, with the introduction of Iansan in *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5 on March 26, players are curious if she could be the new Bennett replacement. The community frequently notes that HoYoverse might have made support characters like Bennett, Xingqiu, and Xiangling too powerful, leading to the development of new characters with more niche roles to diversify player strategies. Iansan, a 4-Star Electro Polearm user from Natlan, has sparked discussions due to her similarities with Bennett, but is she truly a replacement? Let's delve into the details.

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

Iansan, much like Bennett, serves as a support character, offering both damage buffs and healing. Her Elemental Burst, "The Three Principles of Power," is central to her support capabilities. Unlike Bennett's stationary field that requires characters to remain within it for buffs, 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, the ATK bonus scales with both her Nightsoul Points and ATK. However, at 42 or more Nightsoul Points, the ATK bonus escalates and is solely dependent on her ATK, encouraging an ATK-focused build. A unique aspect of Iansan's scale is that it requires the active character to move, with both vertical and horizontal movements contributing to restoring Nightsoul Points based on distance traveled.

In terms of 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, a feature Iansan lacks. When it comes to elemental infusion, Bennett at C6 can infuse Pyro into the active character's Normal Attacks, whereas Iansan does not provide Electro infusion, which may be a disadvantage depending on your team's needs.

For exploration, Iansan offers unique advantages. She can use Nightsoul Points to sprint and jump longer distances without consuming stamina, making her a valuable asset for traversing the game world. However, for Pyro-based 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?

While Iansan and Bennett share many similarities in appearance and functionality, Iansan does not replace Bennett outright. Instead, she serves as a compelling alternative, particularly for secondary team compositions in challenging content like the Spiral Abyss. Iansan's Kinetic Scale eliminates the need to stay within a fixed area for buffs, unlike Bennett's Burst, promoting a more fluid and active gameplay style.

Players interested in trying out Iansan can do so during Phase I of *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, launching on March 26. Whether you choose Iansan or Bennett will depend on your team's specific needs and your preferred playstyle.

*Genshin Impact is available to play now.*