Bennett is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and valuable characters in *Genshin Impact*. Despite being available since the game's inception, he continues to be a staple in numerous team compositions. However, with the introduction of Iansan in *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, which is set to launch on March 26, many players are wondering if she might be the new Bennett replacement.
It's often discussed among *Genshin Impact* players that HoYoverse may have unintentionally made support characters like Bennett, Xingqiu, and Xiangling too powerful. This has led to the creation of new characters with more specialized roles to encourage diversity in team setups. Iansan, a new 4-Star Electro Polearm character from Natlan, is being dubbed the "Bennett replacement" due to similarities in their kits. Let's delve deeper into how Iansan compares to Bennett.
How Does Iansan’s Kit Compare to Bennett’s in Genshin Impact?
Iansan serves primarily as a support character, offering both damage buffs and healing, much like Bennett. Her Elemental Burst, "The Three Principles of Power," is central to her buffing capabilities. Unlike Bennett's static field that requires characters to remain within it, Iansan's approach is unique. She summons a Kinetic Energy Scale that follows the active character and boosts their ATK based on her Nightsoul Points.
If Iansan has fewer than 42 out of her maximum 54 Nightsoul Points in *Genshin Impact*, the ATK bonus scales off both her Nightsoul Points and her ATK. With at least 42 Nightsoul Points, the ATK bonus increases and scales solely off her ATK, suggesting that building her with an emphasis on ATK is beneficial.
The Kinetic Energy Scale requires the active character to move, logging the distance traveled and restoring Nightsoul Points to Iansan based on that distance. This dynamic mechanic differs significantly from Bennett's stationary field.
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, Iansan cannot heal herself, unlike Bennett, making Bennett the superior choice for healing.
Another key difference is 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's composition.
For exploration, Iansan offers unique advantages. She can use Nightsoul Points to sprint without consuming stamina and jump longer distances, enhancing mobility. However, for Pyro-based teams, Bennett remains the better choice due to Elemental Resonance, which provides a +25% ATK buff and Pyro infusion.
Should You Choose Iansan or Bennett in Genshin Impact?
Iansan can be seen as Bennett's counterpart, sharing similar aesthetics and functionalities. Rather than replacing him, she offers a strong alternative, particularly for secondary team compositions in the Spiral Abyss that require a similar support role.
Iansan's primary advantage is the freedom from the "Circle Impact" phenomenon, a term coined by the *Genshin Impact* community to describe the necessity of staying within Bennett's fixed field for buffs. Iansan's Kinetic Scale encourages movement, providing a fresh gameplay experience compared to Bennett's static approach.
If you're interested in trying out Iansan, you can do so during Phase I of *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, which launches on March 26.
*Genshin Impact is available to play now.*
