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For a long time, I was not a fan of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than aid to my squad. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and introduced me to a character and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. However D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a tank. The one who soaks up all that damage while shielding attackers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but another feature that makes her stand out among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Boosters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a higher level or veer entirely and head around obstacles like turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that no other defender 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 also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

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

An offensive component exists to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards for 25 damage. I assure you, few things are as gratifying 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 top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a superior choice for the current meta. But she’s also among the most original heroes I’ve ever played 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 a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. In reality, with extensive time as her, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as enjoyable and groundbreaking 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 movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.