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Over many years, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with my friends, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, 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.

Initially, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. However D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a tank. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while shielding attackers 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 mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but there’s something else that sets her apart among other defenders, and is why I ultimately adored her: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. 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 objective. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: I prefer to absorb attacks and protect my team, while having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies 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 movility; it additionally deals damage to enemies along the route.

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, few things are as gratifying than finishing off a pesky 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 nowadays, particularly with characters like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick 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 D.Va equivalent, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for years. The truth is, with extensive time as her, I feel like no future tank character as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as D.Va. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• D.Va shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can absorb attacks while opening chances for allies.
• Regardless of strategy changes, she remains a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.