Iansan: The New Bennett Replacement in Genshin Impact?

In the ever-evolving world of *Genshin Impact*, few characters have stood the test of time quite like Bennett. Since his debut, he has remained a staple in countless team compositions due to his powerful ATK buff and reliable healing. But with the arrival of Version 5.5 on March 26, players are now introduced to Iansan—a new 4-Star Electro Polearm character from Natlan who many are calling the “Bennett replacement.” While this may seem like a bold claim at first glance, it's worth exploring how much truth there is behind it.

A Closer Look at Iansan’s Kit Compared to Bennett

Like Bennett, Iansan serves as a support unit, focusing on providing ATK buffs and utility through her Elemental Burst—*The Three Principles of Power*. Instead of generating a field like Bennett, she summons a *Kinetic Energy Scale* that follows your active character, boosting their ATK based on her Nightsoul Points. When her Nightsoul Points are below 42 (out of a max of 54), the ATK bonus scales with both her current HP percentage and ATK. However, once she reaches or exceeds 42 Nightsoul Points, the scaling becomes purely based on her own ATK, making an ATK-focused build ideal for maximizing her effectiveness.

One unique mechanic tied to her support ability is movement-based regeneration of Nightsoul Points. As long as the active character moves—whether horizontally or vertically—the scale tracks distance traveled and restores Nightsoul energy every second. This encourages a more dynamic playstyle compared to Bennett’s static field requirement.

Healing Capabilities and Infusion Differences

When it comes to healing, Bennett still holds the upper hand by a significant margin. His Elemental Burst heals the active character for up to 70% of their Max HP and scales well with his own ATK. Iansan does provide healing as well, but it is less potent and lacks the self-healing functionality that makes Bennett so versatile in prolonged battles.

Another major distinction lies in elemental infusion. At C6, Bennett grants Pyro infusion to the active character’s Normal Attacks, which can be crucial for certain team comps and reactions. Iansan does not offer this kind of infusion, which could be a drawback depending on your team’s needs.

Exploration and Playstyle Flexibility

On the exploration front, Iansan shines with her stamina-free sprinting and extended jumping mechanics when using Nightsoul Points. These abilities make her especially useful for navigating open-world terrain quickly and efficiently. In contrast, Bennett offers no such traversal advantages.

For combat scenarios, Iansan provides a refreshing alternative to the traditional “circle staying” gameplay associated with Bennett. Her mobility-based support system allows for more fluid and engaging combat experiences, particularly in Spiral Abyss runs where flexibility and sustained DPS matter.

Final Thoughts: Is Iansan the New Bennett?

While Iansan shares visual and functional similarities with Bennett, she isn’t a direct replacement—rather, she serves as a compelling alternative. She excels in teams where mobility and ATK support are prioritized, while Bennett remains essential for high-end healing and Pyro-infused team comps.

If you're looking to diversify your support options or optimize for mobility-driven gameplay, Iansan is definitely worth pulling for. Players can try her out starting in Phase I of *Genshin Impact* Version 5.5, launching March 26.

*Genshin Impact* is available to play now on all supported platforms.