In *Genshin Impact*, Bennett has long been celebrated as one of the most versatile and essential characters since the game's launch. His enduring popularity stems from his powerful support capabilities, making him a staple in numerous team compositions. However, with the introduction of Iansan in *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, set to launch on March 26, many players are wondering if she might serve as a new Bennett replacement.

It's common for *Genshin Impact* players to note that HoYoverse might have unintentionally created overly strong support characters like Bennett, Xingqiu, and Xiangling. This has led to the development of new characters with more defined roles, like Iansan, who is debuting as a 4-Star Electro Polearm character. Some are dubbing her the "Bennett replacement" due to similarities in their kits. Let's delve into the specifics to see if this claim holds up.

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

Iansan hails from Natlan and is designed primarily as a support character, providing DMG buffs and healing. Similar to Bennett, her Elemental Burst, The Three Principles of Power, is crucial for buffing teammates. Yet, their methods differ significantly. While Bennett's buffs require characters to remain within his field, Iansan's approach involves summoning a Kinetic Energy Scale that follows the active character, boosting ATK based on her Nightsoul Points.

When Iansan has fewer than 42 out of her maximum 54 Nightsoul Points, the ATK bonus scales based on both her Nightsoul Points and ATK. If she reaches 42 or more Nightsoul Points, the ATK bonus escalates and solely scales with her ATK, suggesting that building her with an emphasis on ATK is optimal.

A unique aspect of Iansan's Kinetic Energy Scale is that it requires the active character to move, with both vertical and horizontal movements counting. The distance traveled influences the amount of Nightsoul restored to Iansan every second, promoting a more dynamic playstyle.

In terms of healing, Bennett outshines Iansan, offering up to 70% HP restoration within his field, whereas Iansan's healing capabilities are less potent, and she cannot heal herself. This makes Bennett the superior choice for healing needs.

Another distinction lies in elemental infusion; at C6, Bennett can infuse Pyro into the Normal Attacks of the active character, a feature Iansan lacks. This can be a significant disadvantage depending on your team composition.

For exploration, Iansan offers unique benefits, allowing her to use Nightsoul Points for stamina-free sprinting and extended jumping distances. Nonetheless, for teams focused on Pyro, Bennett remains the preferable choice due to Elemental Resonance, providing a +25% ATK buff and Pyro infusion.

Should You Choose Iansan or Bennett in Genshin Impact?

Iansan can be viewed as a long-lost sibling to Bennett, sharing similar appearances and kit functionalities. However, rather than replacing him, she serves as a strong alternative, particularly for secondary teams in the Spiral Abyss needing a similar support role.

Iansan's key advantage is liberating players from the so-called "Circle Impact" gameplay, where characters must stay within Bennett's field to receive buffs. Iansan's Kinetic Scale encourages movement, offering a fresh gameplay dynamic compared to Bennett's static field.

If you're curious to try out Iansan, you'll have the opportunity in Phase I of *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, launching on March 26.

*Genshin Impact is available to play now.*