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Over many years, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with companions, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Then, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and introduced me to a character and an ability that's remained memorable ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who pilots a mech, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. The sniper Widowmaker was more my style, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. However D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a defender. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her MEKA configuration, 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, 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 a set distance. But you can also alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a elevated position or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like turns or the objective. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can really replicate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I like to soak up the damage and protect my team, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it makes me feel indestructible, even though that’s never really the case.

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

An offensive component exists to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as you’re using Boosters, 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 your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

D.Va may not be the top defender 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. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I have experienced in a multiplayer game. I don’t think there really is a D.Va equivalent, and believe me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I have sought a replacement for D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for a long time. In reality, after playing her for years, it seems no future tank character as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as D.Va. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can absorb attacks while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.