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Over many years, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and introduced me to 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 monotone drawl. But D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a defender. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and healers. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she moves with a blaster, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. These two forms make her quite distinctive, but another feature that sets her apart among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. But you can also alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or veer entirely and head around obstacles like corners or the payload. It gives 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 like to soak up the damage and defend allies, while having the option to retreat if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability is not just for travel; it additionally deals harm to enemies in its path.

An offensive component exists to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, 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 striking her directly 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 Orisa and Ramattra whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for present strategies. But she’s also among the most original heroes I have experienced in a competitive title. I don’t think that any a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for a replacement for D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for years. The truth is, with extensive time as her, it seems no future tank character as fun and innovative to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• D.Va excels in movement and interference.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can absorb attacks while opening chances for allies.
• Regardless of strategy changes, she remains a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.