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For a long time, I was not a fan of multiplayer games. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and presented me with a character and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, didn’t seem the type 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 character that absorbs all that incoming fire while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. 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. These two forms make her quite distinctive, but there’s something else that makes her stand out among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

Boosters is an ability that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a higher level or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like corners or the payload. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that no other defender can really replicate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I like to soak up the damage and protect my team, 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.

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

There’s even a damage element to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back for a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome 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, particularly with characters like Orisa and Ramattra whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for the current meta. Yet she remains among the most original heroes 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 have sought a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. The truth is, with extensive time as her, I feel like there isn’t ever going to be as fun and innovative to play as D.Va. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• D.Va excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can soak damage while creating opportunities for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.