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Over many years, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. My aim was poor, and felt like more of a hindrance than aid to my squad. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and introduced me to a character and an skill 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 closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. But D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a defender. The character that absorbs all that damage while shielding attackers and healers. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. These two forms make her pretty unique, 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.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise 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 no other defender can really replicate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters 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 makes me feel indestructible, even though this isn't entirely true.

The Thrusters ability is not just for travel; it also inflicts damage to enemies along the route.

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 25 damage. I assure you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by bopping her on the nose with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson 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 pure defensive skills make them a better pick for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a multiplayer game. I don’t think that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I have sought a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. In reality, after playing her for years, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as fun and innovative to play as D.Va. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are definitely not included.

• The MEKA Pilot shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for allies.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.