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For a long time, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with my friends, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and introduced me to a character and an ability 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 closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. However D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a tank. The character that absorbs all that damage while shielding attackers and healers. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: her pilot form, in which she runs around with a gun, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her pretty unique, but another feature that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a elevated position or divert completely and head around obstacles like corners or the payload. It gives 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 prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies so I can regroup – it makes me feel indestructible, even though that’s never really the case.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for movility; it additionally deals damage to enemies in its path.

An offensive component exists to D.Va’s Boosters ability. When opponents obstruct the path as you’re using Boosters, they are knocked back for a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, few things are as gratifying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by striking her directly with the mech. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

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. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I have sought my next D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for a long time. In reality, after playing her for years, it seems no future tank character as fun and innovative 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 Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a beloved choice for distinctive approach.