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For a long time, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch happened and presented me with a hero and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. The sniper Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her gothic look and monotone drawl. However D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a defender. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she moves with a blaster, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but another feature that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. But you can also alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or divert completely and head around obstacles like corners 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 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.

D.Va’s Boosters is not just for travel; it also inflicts harm to foes 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 a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by striking her directly with your MEKA. That’ll teach her to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 nowadays, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra 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. It seems unlikely there really is a direct counterpart to D.Va, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I have sought a replacement for D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for a long time. In reality, with extensive time as her, it seems no future tank character as fun and innovative to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can soak damage while creating opportunities for allies.
• Regardless of strategy changes, she remains a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.