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For a long time, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with companions, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch happened and introduced me to a hero and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who commands a MEKA, didn’t seem the type that should have appealed to me. The sniper Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her gothic look and measured speech. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a tank. The one who soaks up all that damage 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 mech form, 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 why I ultimately adored her: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a elevated position or divert completely and head around obstacles like corners or the objective. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion 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 defend allies, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it makes me feel indestructible, even though this isn't entirely true.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for travel; it also inflicts damage to foes in its path.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back 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 attempt long-range attacks.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for present strategies. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I have experienced in a multiplayer game. I don’t think that any a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. In reality, after playing her for years, I feel like no future tank character 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.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can soak damage while creating opportunities for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a beloved choice for distinctive approach.