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Over many years, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with companions, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch happened 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 commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her gothic look and measured speech. However D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a defender. The character that absorbs all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has two forms: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but there’s something else that sets her apart among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

Thrusters represent a skill that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. But you can also alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a higher level 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 — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, 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.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for movility; it additionally deals damage to enemies along the route.

An offensive component exists 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. I assure you, few things are as gratifying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by striking her directly with the mech. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

The hero might not rank as the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for the current meta. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a competitive title. It seems unlikely there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe 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, I feel like there isn’t ever going to be as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can absorb attacks while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a beloved choice for distinctive approach.