🔗 Share this article

Over many years, I was not a fan 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 aid to my squad. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and introduced me to a hero and an ability that's remained memorable ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who pilots a mech, wasn’t the sort of character that should have appealed to me. The sniper Widowmaker was more my style, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. But D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a defender. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: her pilot form, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. These two forms make her pretty unique, but there’s something else that makes her stand out among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Boosters is an ability that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward 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 turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that no other defender can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his forward assault. Her Thrusters is ideal for my approach: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies so I may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for movility; it also inflicts harm to enemies along the route.

An offensive component exists 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. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by bopping her on the nose with the mech. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I have experienced in a multiplayer game. I don’t think that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and believe me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I have sought a replacement for D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. The truth is, after playing her for years, it seems there isn’t ever going to be as fun and innovative to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• D.Va excels in mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• The hero can soak damage while creating opportunities for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.