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Over many years, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than aid to my squad. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and presented me with 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, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. However D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a tank. The character that absorbs all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and healers. 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. This duality make her pretty unique, but there’s something else that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. But you can also change directions mid-flight, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or veer entirely and head around obstacles like corners or the objective. This grants D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while having the option to retreat if it gets gnarly so I may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability is not just for movility; it also inflicts harm to foes along the route.

An offensive component exists to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, few things are as gratifying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by bopping her on the nose with the mech. That’ll teach her to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for the current meta. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a competitive title. I don’t think that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for years. The truth is, with extensive time as her, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as fun and innovative to play as D.Va. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can absorb attacks while opening chances for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.