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For a long time, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch happened and presented me with a character and an ability that's remained memorable 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 dark aesthetic and measured speech. However D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a tank. The character that absorbs all that damage while shielding attackers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her pilot form, in which she runs around with a gun, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her pretty unique, but another feature that sets her apart among her fellow tanks, 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) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a higher level 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 — including Reinhardt with his forward assault. Her Thrusters is brilliant for my playstyle: I like to soak up the damage and protect my team, while having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies so I may reassemble – it makes me feel indestructible, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability isn't solely for travel; it also inflicts damage to foes 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, 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 striking her directly with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for present strategies. But she’s also one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely that any a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next 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 fun and innovative to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are definitely not included.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can soak damage while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.