Is Iansan the New Bennett Replacement in Genshin Impact?

Bennett remains a cornerstone character in *Genshin Impact*, valued for his versatility and effectiveness since the game's inception. However, the introduction of Iansan in Version 5.5 has sparked discussions about whether she could serve as a new "Bennett replacement." HoYoverse has a history of creating powerful support characters, and Iansan's kit bears similarities to Bennett's, leading to this comparison.

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

Iansan, hailing from Natlan, steps into the game as a support character, much like Bennett. Her Elemental Burst, "The Three Principles of Power," functions to buff other characters, but with a twist. While Bennett's buffs require staying within his field, Iansan's "Kinetic Energy Scale" follows the active character, boosting ATK based on her Nightsoul Points. This mechanic encourages movement, as the scale tracks distance traveled, restoring Nightsoul Points to Iansan.

The ATK bonus from Iansan's scale scales differently depending on her Nightsoul Points. With less than 42 out of 54 points, the bonus is based on both Nightsoul Points and ATK. At 42 or more points, it scales solely off her ATK, suggesting a focus on building her ATK stat.

In terms of healing, Bennett outshines Iansan. Bennett can heal up to 70% of the active character's HP, while Iansan's healing is less effective and she cannot heal herself. This gives Bennett a clear edge in the healing department.

Another distinction is elemental infusion. Bennett, at C6, infuses Pyro into the active character's Normal Attacks, whereas Iansan does not provide Electro infusion. This difference can impact team composition and strategy.

For exploration, Iansan offers unique advantages. She can use Nightsoul Points to sprint without stamina and jump longer distances. However, Bennett's Pyro infusion and Elemental Resonance provide a significant boost to Pyro teams, making him the preferred choice in such scenarios.

Should You Choose Iansan or Bennett in Genshin Impact?

Iansan can be seen as a sibling to Bennett, sharing similar aesthetics and roles. Rather than replacing Bennett, she presents a viable alternative, particularly useful in secondary teams in Spiral Abyss. Her Kinetic Scale mechanic introduces a dynamic gameplay element, freeing players from the need to remain within a static field for buffs, unlike Bennett's Burst.

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

Genshin Impact is available to play now.