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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 help to my teammates. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and presented me with a character and an skill that's remained memorable ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who pilots a mech, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. However D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a defender. The character that absorbs all that damage while shielding attackers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her pilot form, in which she runs around with a gun, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. These two forms make her pretty unique, but another feature that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. But you can also change directions mid-flight, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like turns or the objective. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can really replicate — including Reinhardt with his forward assault. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly 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 also inflicts damage to enemies 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 bopping her on the nose with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for the current meta. But she’s also one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a competitive title. It seems unlikely there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, 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. In reality, after playing her for years, it seems no future tank character as fun and innovative to play as she is. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are definitely not included.

• D.Va shines at movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can soak damage while creating opportunities for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.