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Over many years, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with my friends, 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 presented me with a character and an ability that's remained memorable ever since.

Initially, 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 more my style, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. But D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a tank. The character that absorbs all that incoming fire while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has two forms: 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, Boosters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, giving her a boost of speed and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like corners or the payload. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can really replicate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. 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 it gets gnarly so I may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability isn't solely for travel; it also inflicts damage to foes along the route.

An offensive component exists to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back for a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by striking her directly with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 nowadays, particularly with characters like Orisa and Ramattra whose pure defensive skills make them a superior choice for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a competitive title. I don’t think that any a D.Va equivalent, 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, after playing her for years, it seems no future tank character as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as she is. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can soak damage while opening chances for allies.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.