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Over many years, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with companions, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and introduced me to a hero and an ability that's remained memorable ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. However D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a tank. The character that absorbs all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has two forms: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, 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, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a higher level or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like corners or the objective. This grants D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his forward assault. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while also being able to get out if the situation intensifies 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 travel; it additionally deals harm to foes along the route.

There’s even a damage element to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, you send them flying backwards for 25 damage. Let me tell you, few things are as gratifying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by bopping her on the nose with the mech. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 nowadays, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick 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, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I have sought my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. In reality, with extensive time as her, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as fun and innovative to play as D.Va. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can soak damage while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a beloved choice for distinctive approach.