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For a long time, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and presented me with a character and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. The sniper Widowmaker was more my style, with her gothic look and measured speech. However D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a defender. The character that absorbs all that incoming fire while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has two forms: her pilot form, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. These two forms make her quite distinctive, but there’s something else that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

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. But you can also alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a higher level or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like corners or the objective. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that no other defender can really replicate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters 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 may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for travel; it additionally deals harm to enemies in its path.

There’s even a damage element to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, they are knocked back for 25 damage. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by striking her directly with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for the current meta. But she’s also among the most original heroes I have experienced in a competitive title. I don’t think there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for 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 D.Va. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are definitely not included.

• The MEKA Pilot shines at movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can soak damage while creating opportunities for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, she remains a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.