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Over many years, I was not a fan of multiplayer games. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and presented me with 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, didn’t seem the type 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 defender. The one who soaks up all that damage while shielding attackers and healers. 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 quite distinctive, 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.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. But you can also change directions mid-flight, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position 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 really replicate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. 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.

D.Va’s Boosters is not just for travel; it also inflicts 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, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by striking her directly with the mech. That’ll teach her to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for present strategies. But she’s also among the most original heroes I have experienced in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely there really is a D.Va equivalent, and believe me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. In reality, after playing her for years, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as fun and innovative to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are definitely not included.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Thrusters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for allies.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a beloved choice for distinctive approach.