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For a long time, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with companions, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than aid to my squad. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and introduced me to a hero and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who pilots a mech, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a defender. The character that absorbs all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has two forms: her pilot form, in which she moves with a blaster, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality 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, Boosters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward for 24 meters. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a elevated position or divert completely and head around obstacles like turns or the objective. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I like to soak up the damage and protect my team, while having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies so I can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

The Thrusters ability is not just for movility; it additionally deals harm to foes along the route.

An offensive component exists to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards 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 your MEKA. That’ll teach her to attempt long-range attacks.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 nowadays, particularly with characters like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for present strategies. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I have experienced in a competitive title. 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 a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. The truth is, after playing her for years, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as fun and innovative to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are definitely not included.

• D.Va shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can soak damage while creating opportunities for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.