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For a long time, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and presented me with a character and an ability that's remained memorable ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. But D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a defender. The character that absorbs all that damage while shielding attackers and healers. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she moves with a blaster, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but another feature that sets her apart among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a higher level or divert completely and navigate past barriers like corners or the payload. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that no other defender can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is brilliant for my playstyle: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I may reassemble – it makes me feel indestructible, even though that’s never really the case.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for movility; it also inflicts damage to foes along the route.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back for a set amount of harm. I assure you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by bopping her on the nose with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a superior choice for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a competitive title. It seems unlikely there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I have sought a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. The truth is, after playing her for years, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as D.Va. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot shines at movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can absorb attacks while opening chances for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a beloved choice for distinctive approach.