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For a long time, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Subsequently, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and presented me with a hero and an skill that's remained memorable 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 more my style, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a defender. The one who soaks up all that damage 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 MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. These two forms make her quite distinctive, but there’s something else that sets her apart among other defenders, and is why I ultimately adored her: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. But you can also alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a higher level or veer entirely and head around obstacles like turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that no other defender can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters is ideal for my approach: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while having the option to retreat if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it makes me feel indestructible, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability isn't solely for movility; it also inflicts damage to foes in its path.

There’s even a damage element to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, they are knocked back for a set amount of harm. I assure you, few things are as gratifying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by striking her directly 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 pure defensive skills make them a better pick for the current meta. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for a replacement for D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for years. The truth is, after playing her for years, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• D.Va shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can absorb attacks while creating opportunities for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a beloved choice for distinctive approach.