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Over many years, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 happened and introduced me to a character and an skill that's remained memorable ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who pilots a mech, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her gothic look and measured speech. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a tank. The one who soaks up all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her pilot form, in which she moves with a blaster, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but another feature that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air 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 objective. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that no other defender can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while also being able to get out if the situation intensifies 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 also inflicts damage to foes along the route.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, they are knocked back for 25 damage. Let me tell you, few things are as gratifying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by bopping her on the nose with the mech. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a competitive title. I don’t think that any a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. In reality, with extensive time as her, it seems no future tank character 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.

• D.Va shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Thrusters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for allies.
• Regardless of strategy changes, she remains a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.