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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. My aim was poor, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and introduced me to a character and an ability 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 should have appealed to me. The sniper Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her gothic look and monotone drawl. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a defender. The character that absorbs all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: her pilot form, in which she moves with a blaster, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. These two forms make her quite distinctive, but another feature that sets her apart among other defenders, and is why I ultimately adored her: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Boosters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a elevated position or divert completely and navigate past barriers like turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his forward assault. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: 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 creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for travel; it additionally deals harm to enemies along the route.

An offensive component exists to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. I assure you, few things are as gratifying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by bopping her on the nose with your MEKA. That’ll teach her to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 nowadays, particularly with characters like Orisa and Ramattra 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 multiplayer game. I don’t think that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and trust me, after playing games 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. The truth is, after playing her for years, I feel like no future tank character as fun and innovative to play as she is. For all the faults 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.
• The hero can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for allies.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.