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For a long time, I was not a fan of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Then, 2016’s Overwatch 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 pilots a mech, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a tank. The character that absorbs all that damage while shielding attackers and healers. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her pilot form, in which she moves with a blaster, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but another feature that makes her stand out among other defenders, and is why I ultimately adored her: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and allowing her to fly forward 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 payload. This grants D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters is ideal for my approach: I prefer to absorb attacks and protect my team, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I may reassemble – it makes me feel indestructible, even though this isn't entirely true.

D.Va’s Boosters is not just for movility; 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 activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by bopping her on the nose with your MEKA. That’ll teach her to attempt long-range attacks.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 nowadays, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills 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 D.Va equivalent, and believe me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I have sought my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. In reality, after playing her for years, 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, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• D.Va excels in movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can absorb attacks while opening chances for allies.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.