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For a long time, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with companions, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and presented me with a character and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, didn’t seem the type 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 my favorite class: a tank. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she moves with a blaster, and her mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her pretty unique, but another feature that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward for 24 meters. But you can also alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a elevated position or divert completely and navigate past barriers like turns or the objective. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: I like to soak up the damage and protect my team, while also being able to get out if the situation intensifies so I can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability isn't solely 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 a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by bopping her on the nose with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for the current meta. But she’s also among the most original heroes I’ve ever played in a competitive title. I don’t think that any a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I have sought my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. The truth is, after playing her for years, I feel like there isn’t ever going to be as fun and innovative to play as she is. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.