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For a long time, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, 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 skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. The sniper 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 defender. 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 moves with a blaster, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. These two forms make her quite distinctive, but another feature that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, 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, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. Additionally, players may change directions mid-flight, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or divert completely and head around obstacles like corners or the objective. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that no other defender can really replicate — 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 can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability isn't solely for movility; it also inflicts damage to foes in its path.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as you’re using Boosters, they are knocked back for 25 damage. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by bopping her on the nose 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, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for present strategies. But she’s also one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a competitive title. 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. The truth is, after playing her for years, 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 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.
• Regardless of strategy changes, she remains a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.