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Over many years, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with companions, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and introduced me to a character and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who pilots a mech, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. However D.Va possessed the advantage 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 pilot form, in which she runs around with a gun, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. These two forms make her pretty unique, but another feature that makes her stand out 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, 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 no other defender can really replicate — not even Reinhardt with his forward assault. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: I like to soak up the damage 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.

The Thrusters ability is not just for travel; it also inflicts harm to foes in its path.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. I assure you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by striking her directly with the mech. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

The hero might not rank as the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose pure defensive skills make them a superior choice for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I have sought a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. In reality, with extensive time as her, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as D.Va. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are definitely not included.

• D.Va excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can soak damage while creating opportunities for allies.
• Regardless of strategy changes, she remains a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.