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For a long time, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and presented me with a hero and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who pilots a mech, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. However D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a tank. The character that absorbs all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and healers. Better yet, D.Va has two forms: her pilot form, in which she moves with a blaster, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but there’s something else that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

Thrusters represent a skill that enables the MEKA pilot (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 higher level or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks 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 having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies so I can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

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

An offensive component exists to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards 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 the mech. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 nowadays, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for present strategies. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I have experienced in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I have sought a replacement for D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for years. 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 certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can absorb attacks while opening chances for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.