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For a long time, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Then, 2016’s Overwatch happened and presented me with a hero and an skill 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. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her gothic look and measured speech. But D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a defender. The one who soaks up all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and healers. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but another feature that sets her apart among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a elevated position or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like corners or the payload. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is brilliant for my playstyle: 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 damage to foes along the route.

There’s even a damage element to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, they are knocked back for a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by striking her directly 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 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for present strategies. But she’s also among the most original heroes I’ve ever played in a competitive title. It seems unlikely that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for years. In reality, after playing her for years, it seems no future tank character 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.

• D.Va shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can absorb attacks while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.