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For a long time, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Then, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and presented me with a character and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who pilots a mech, didn’t seem the type that should have appealed to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her gothic look and measured speech. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a defender. The one who soaks up all that damage while shielding attackers and healers. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into 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 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. Additionally, players may change directions mid-flight, choosing to ascend onto a higher level or divert completely and head around obstacles like turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can really replicate — not even Reinhardt with his forward assault. D.Va’s Boosters is ideal for my approach: I prefer to absorb attacks and protect my team, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it makes me feel indestructible, even though this isn't entirely true.

The Thrusters ability is not just for travel; it also inflicts harm to enemies in its path.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back for a set amount of harm. I assure you, few things are as gratifying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by striking her directly with the mech. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

The hero might not rank as the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a competitive title. It seems unlikely that any a D.Va equivalent, and believe me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. In reality, after playing her for years, it seems there isn’t ever going to be 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.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can soak damage while creating opportunities for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a beloved choice for distinctive approach.