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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 few held my interest. My aim was poor, and felt like more of a hindrance than aid to my squad. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and presented me with a hero and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who pilots a mech, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. The sniper Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her gothic look and measured speech. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a tank. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her pilot form, in which she moves with a blaster, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but there’s something else that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, 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) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. Additionally, players may change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a higher level or veer entirely and head around obstacles like turns or the objective. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can really replicate — including Reinhardt with his forward assault. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: 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 that’s never really the case.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for movility; it also inflicts damage to enemies in its path.

An offensive component exists to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. 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’ll teach her to attempt long-range attacks.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 nowadays, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for the current meta. But she’s also among the most original heroes I’ve ever played in a competitive title. I don’t think there really is a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for a replacement for D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for a long time. In reality, with extensive time as her, I feel like there isn’t ever going to be as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as D.Va. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can soak damage while opening chances for her team.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a beloved choice for her unique playstyle.