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Over many years, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than aid to my squad. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and introduced me to a hero and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who pilots a mech, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a defender. The one who soaks up all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Better yet, 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. These two forms make her pretty unique, but there’s something else that sets her apart among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a elevated position or divert completely and navigate past barriers like corners or the payload. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his forward assault. Her Thrusters is brilliant for my playstyle: I prefer to absorb attacks and protect my team, while also being able to get out if the situation intensifies so I can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

D.Va’s Boosters is not just for travel; it also inflicts harm to enemies in its path.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back for a set amount of harm. I assure you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by bopping her on the nose with your MEKA. That’ll teach her to attempt long-range attacks.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for the current meta. But she’s also among the most original heroes I have experienced in a multiplayer game. I don’t think there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. 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 excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can absorb attacks while opening chances for allies.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.