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For a long time, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with companions, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and introduced me to a hero and an ability that's been stuck in my mind 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. Widowmaker was more my style, with her gothic look and monotone drawl. However D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a defender. The one who soaks up all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her pilot form, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. These two forms make her quite distinctive, but there’s something else that sets her apart among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Boosters.

Thrusters represent a skill that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. But you can also alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a higher level or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like corners or the payload. 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. D.Va’s Boosters is ideal for my approach: I like to soak up the damage and protect my team, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

The Thrusters ability is not just for travel; it additionally deals damage to enemies along the route.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards for 25 damage. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by striking her directly with your MEKA. That’ll teach her to try and snipe you from afar.

The hero might not rank as the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose pure defensive skills make them a superior choice for the current meta. But she’s also among the most original heroes I have experienced in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, following experiences 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 she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can soak damage while creating opportunities for allies.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.