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Over many years, I was not a fan of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with companions, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, and felt like more of a hindrance than aid to my squad. Then, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and presented me with a character and an ability that's remained memorable ever since.

Initially, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who pilots a mech, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. The sniper Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her gothic look and measured speech. However D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a tank. The one who soaks up 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. These two forms make her pretty unique, but there’s something else that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

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. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a elevated position or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like corners or the payload. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his forward assault. D.Va’s Boosters 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 may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for travel; it also inflicts damage to foes in its path.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, few things are as gratifying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by striking her directly with the mech. That’ll teach her to try and snipe you from afar.

The hero might not rank as the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely there really is 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 my next Boosters, for years. The truth is, with extensive time as her, 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, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for allies.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.