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Over many years, I was not a fan of multiplayer games. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Then, 2016’s Overwatch happened and introduced me to a character and an skill that's remained memorable ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her gothic look and monotone drawl. But D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a defender. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: 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 pretty unique, but another feature that sets her apart among her fellow tanks, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and allowing her to fly forward for 24 meters. Additionally, players may change directions mid-flight, opting to rise 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 none of the other tanks can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: I like to soak up the damage and defend allies, while having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies so I may reassemble – it makes me feel indestructible, even though this isn't entirely true.

The Thrusters ability is not just for movility; it additionally deals damage to enemies in its path.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as you’re using Boosters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by striking her directly with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 nowadays, particularly with characters like Orisa and Ramattra whose pure defensive skills make them a superior choice for the current meta. But she’s also one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a competitive title. It seems unlikely that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I have sought my next D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for years. The truth is, with extensive time as her, it seems no future tank character as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• D.Va shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a beloved choice for distinctive approach.