Genshin Impact introduced two new characters for their 5.5 update, Veresa and Iansan. Veresa will be the new limited five-star character while Iansan will be a new four-star. This came as a shock for many fans as, in the past, the characters featured in the “Teyvat Chapter Storyline Preview: Travail｜Genshin Impact” have all been five-star characters, except for Lynette and Ningguang. However, those characters have all had major roles in the story of their nation. Additionally, Ningguang being a four-star made sense at the time she was released. There were already many five-star characters with a minimal pool of four-stars. It is also rumored that she was originally supposed to be a five-star character, but got demoted. Lynette, however, was part of a duo with Lyney and was one of the first characters released during Fontaine’s arc. Therefore, it made sense for her to be the first four-star character of her nation.

So the question remains as to why Iansan has become the exception to this otherwise unspoken rule. Not only is she not a five-star, but her contribution to the story of Natlan was minimal compared to the others. Characters like Cyno and Ayaka, who were also featured in the video, were incredibly involved in the storyline of their nations. Even the four-star exceptions of Ningguang and Lynette had active roles within their nations’ arcs. However, Iansan was shoved to the side in favor of other Natlan characters. So far, none of the other characters from the video were shoved aside in favor of other characters from their nation. All of them were important within their nation and in the story. Iansan doesn’t have any of those traits.

At the very least, Iansan should’ve been the representative of her tribe in Natlan. While that had seemed to be the case before the recent trailer for the 5.5 update, after it seems unlikely. Instead, Iansan’s role has again been given to another character. Varesa also comes from the Collective of Plenty, the tribe that Iansan is part of within Natlan, and seems to be the one that will be introducing Traveler to the tribe. While we do need more Natlan four-star characters, it would have made more sense for Varesa to be a four-star and Iansan to be a five-star. Additionally, Iansan should have been the one to introduce Traveler to the Collective of Plenty. Hoyoverse is shoving Iansan aside for a new character, despite the implied significance that Iansan should’ve had.

What do you think? Should Iansan be a five-star? Is Hoyoverse purposefully replacing Iansan? Does Iansan deserve more? Let us know in the comments below or join the Boss Rush Discord to further the conversation!

Featured Image Credit: Hoyoverse (via GameRant)

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