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For a long time, I was not a fan of multiplayer games. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and introduced me to a hero and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who pilots a mech, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. The sniper 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 one who soaks up all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her pilot form, in which she moves with a blaster, and her mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. These two forms make her quite distinctive, but another feature that sets her apart among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

Thrusters represent a skill that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a higher level or divert completely and head around obstacles like turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that no other defender can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for travel; it also inflicts harm to enemies along the route.

There’s even a damage element to D.Va’s Boosters ability. When opponents obstruct the path as you’re using Boosters, you send them flying backwards for 25 damage. I assure you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by striking her directly with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

The hero might not rank as the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for present strategies. But she’s also among the most original heroes I’ve ever played in a multiplayer game. I don’t think there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. In reality, with extensive time as her, it seems no future tank character 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 shines at movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can soak damage while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.