🔗 Share this article

Over many years, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. My aim was poor, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and presented me with a character and an ability that's remained memorable ever since.

Initially, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier 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 had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a defender. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while protecting damage-dealers and healers. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: 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. This duality make her pretty unique, but another feature that sets her apart among her fellow tanks, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her close-quarters and mobility skill, 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. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a elevated position or divert completely and head around obstacles like corners or the payload. This grants D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that no other defender can really replicate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I like to soak up the damage and defend allies, while also being able to get out if the situation intensifies 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 harm to foes in its path.

An offensive component exists to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as you’re using Boosters, you send them flying backwards for 25 damage. 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 serves as a lesson to attempt long-range attacks.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like certain other tanks whose pure defensive skills make them a superior choice for the current meta. But she’s also among the most original heroes I’ve ever played in a multiplayer game. I don’t think that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for years. In reality, with extensive time as her, I feel like no future tank character as fun and innovative to play as D.Va. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are definitely not included.

• D.Va excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• She can absorb attacks while opening chances for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.