Bennett has held a crucial role in the meta of Genshin Impact since his introduction in version 1.0. Despite the emergence of numerous DPS characters over the years, he has consistently been recognized as one of the top support characters. This reputation largely stems from his powerful Elemental Burst, which generates a circular Area of Effect (AoE) that not only provides damage buffs to teammates but also offers healing. Even after years of gameplay, the significance of Bennett’s “circle impact”is still very much alive.
However, the forthcoming release of the 4-Star character Iansan in Genshin Impact 5.5 has sparked discussions among players, suggesting that they may soon have the option to rotate Bennett out in favor of Iansan as a viable support alternative.
Iansan’s Emergence as a Potential Bennett Replacement
Bennett’s influence on the game remains substantial, given that few 4-Star characters boast comparable utility. Nevertheless, Iansan’s anticipated addition in the latest update may provide Bennett with the opportunity to take a backseat.
Similar to Bennett, Iansan enhances her allies’ stats through her Elemental Burst. Upon activation, she summons a unique object known as the “Limited-Edition Kinetic Energy Scale (For Workouts)”, which hovers beside her and tailors buffs to the active character’s capabilities based on Iansan’s personal attack power and her current Nightsoul Points. The higher her Nightsoul Points, the more effective the boost.
Additionally, the Kinetic Energy Scale tracks the total distance traveled by party members while Iansan’s Elemental Burst is active. Increased movement by teammates results in Iansan gaining more Nightsoul Points, which in turn amplifies the attack boost provided. This mechanic aligns perfectly with her role as a fitness coach within the game.
While both Iansan and Bennett provide ATK enhancements via their Elemental Bursts, a notable distinction exists: Bennett’s AoE requires characters to stay contained within its perimeter, whereas Iansan’s power encourages dynamic movement across the battlefield.
Iansan fits seamlessly into teams that feature ATK-scaling characters, enhancing their effectiveness without replacing Bennett outright. Rather than viewing Iansan as an upgrade, she can be considered a valuable sidegrade, allowing players to diversify their team compositions—deploying Bennett in certain Spiral Abyss formations while utilizing Iansan in others.
Furthermore, Iansan’s flexibility, due to her absence of a restrictive circle, represents an advantage for characters that thrive on mobility, making her an exciting addition to the Genshin Impact roster.