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For a long time, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but none kept my attention. My aim was poor, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and introduced me to a character and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. The sniper 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 support classes. Better yet, 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 pretty unique, but another feature that sets her apart among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. But you can also alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a higher level or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that no other defender can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his forward assault. Her Thrusters is brilliant for my playstyle: 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.

D.Va’s Boosters is not just for movility; it also inflicts harm to enemies in its path.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. I assure 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 try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for the current meta. But she’s also one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely that any 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 a similar mobility skill, for years. In reality, with extensive time as her, I feel like 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 excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, she remains a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.