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Over many years, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but none kept my attention. My aim was poor, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and introduced me to a character and an skill that's remained memorable ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who pilots a mech, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. The sniper 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 one who soaks up all that incoming fire while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she moves with a blaster, and her mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but another feature that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. But you can also change directions mid-flight, choosing to ascend onto a higher level or divert completely and navigate past barriers like corners or the objective. This grants D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his forward assault. Her Thrusters is brilliant for my playstyle: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while having the option to retreat if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it makes me feel indestructible, even though that’s never really the case.

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

An offensive component exists to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back for 25 damage. I assure you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by bopping her on the nose 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 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for present strategies. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I have experienced in a competitive title. It seems unlikely there really is a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. The truth is, with extensive time as her, it seems no future tank character as fun and innovative to play as D.Va. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Thrusters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can soak damage while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a beloved choice for distinctive approach.