🔗 Share this article

Over many years, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I played plenty 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. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and presented me with a hero and an skill that's remained memorable 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 more my style, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. But D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a defender. The character that absorbs all that damage while shielding attackers and healers. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she moves with a blaster, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her pretty unique, but another feature that sets her apart among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Thrusters represent a skill that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a higher level or divert completely and navigate past barriers like turns or the payload. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that no other defender can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his forward assault. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: 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 this isn't entirely true.

The Thrusters ability isn't solely for travel; it additionally deals harm to enemies along the route.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, they are knocked back for 25 damage. I assure you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by bopping her on the nose with the mech. That serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for the current meta. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I have experienced in a multiplayer game. I don’t think there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I have sought my next D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for years. The truth is, after playing her for years, I feel like no future tank character as fun and innovative to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can soak damage while creating opportunities for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.