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For a long time, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I played plenty of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. My aim was poor, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and introduced me to a character and an skill that's remained memorable ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. The sniper Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her gothic look and monotone drawl. However D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a defender. The character that absorbs all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and support classes. Better yet, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but there’s something else that sets her apart among other defenders, 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) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like turns or the objective. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that no other defender can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his forward assault. Her Thrusters is brilliant for my playstyle: I like to soak up the damage and protect my team, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability isn't solely for movility; it also inflicts harm to enemies along the route.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards for 25 damage. I assure you, few things are as gratifying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by bopping her on the nose 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, particularly with characters like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for present strategies. But she’s also among the most original heroes I have experienced in a competitive title. It seems unlikely that any a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for a long time. 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, character design and abilities are definitely not included.

• The MEKA Pilot shines at movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can soak damage while opening chances for allies.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.