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For a long time, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with companions, but none kept my attention. My aim was poor, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Then, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and introduced me to a hero and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who pilots a mech, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. However D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a tank. The character that absorbs all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and healers. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her MEKA configuration, 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 close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or veer entirely and head around obstacles like corners or the objective. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks 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 having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies so I may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, 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 the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. I assure you, few things are as gratifying than finishing off a pesky 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 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely that any a D.Va equivalent, 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 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. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot shines at movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can soak damage while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.