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Over many years, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with companions, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Then, 2016’s Overwatch happened and introduced me to a character and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who commands a MEKA, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her gothic look and monotone drawl. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a tank. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: 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 pretty unique, 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, Boosters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, giving her a boost of speed and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. But you can also alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or divert completely and navigate past barriers like turns or the payload. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that no other defender can really replicate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I like to soak up the damage 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 that’s never really the case.

D.Va’s Boosters is not just for movility; it additionally deals harm to enemies along the route.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back for 25 damage. 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.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for the current meta. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I have experienced in a multiplayer game. I don’t think there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for a replacement for D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, 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, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• D.Va excels in movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.