🔗 Share this article

Over many years, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, 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 ability that's remained memorable ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her gothic look and measured speech. However D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a tank. The character that absorbs all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and healers. 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 seated within 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, Boosters.

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. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a elevated position or veer entirely and head around obstacles like turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters is ideal for my approach: I like to soak up the damage and defend allies, while having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies so I may reassemble – it makes me feel indestructible, even though this isn't entirely true.

The Thrusters ability is not just for movility; it additionally deals damage to enemies in its path.

An offensive component exists to the Thrusters skill. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, they are knocked back for 25 damage. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by bopping her on the nose 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 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a superior choice for present strategies. But she’s also one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a competitive title. It seems unlikely that any a D.Va equivalent, and believe me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. In reality, with extensive time as her, it seems no future tank character as fun and innovative to play as D.Va. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are definitely not included.

• D.Va shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can soak damage while creating opportunities for allies.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.