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Over many years, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and introduced me to a character and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, 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 more my style, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. However D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a tank. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: her pilot form, in which she moves with a blaster, and her mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her pretty unique, but there’s something else that makes her stand out among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Boosters.

Boosters is an ability that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a higher level or divert completely and head around obstacles like turns or the payload. 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 ideal for my approach: I prefer to absorb attacks and protect my team, while having the option to retreat if it gets gnarly so I may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

The Thrusters ability isn't solely for movility; it also inflicts harm to foes 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 finishing off a pesky Ashe by bopping her on the nose with the mech. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 nowadays, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for the current meta. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I’ve ever played in a competitive title. I don’t think that any a D.Va equivalent, and trust 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 a long time. In reality, after playing her for years, I feel like no future tank character as enjoyable and groundbreaking 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 movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can soak damage while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.