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For a long time, I was not a fan of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Then, 2016’s Overwatch happened and introduced me to a hero and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. The sniper 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 tank. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she moves with a blaster, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, 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.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or veer entirely and head around obstacles like corners or the payload. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement 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 the situation intensifies so I may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for movility; it also inflicts harm to enemies along the route.

There’s even a damage element to D.Va’s Boosters ability. When opponents obstruct the path as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards for 25 damage. I assure you, few things are as gratifying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by striking her directly with the mech. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 nowadays, 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 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’ve been looking for a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. In reality, with extensive time as her, I feel like there isn’t ever going to be 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.

• D.Va shines at movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.