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For a long time, I was not a fan of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous 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 happened and presented me with a hero and an skill 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 would attract to me. The sniper Widowmaker was more my style, with her gothic look and measured speech. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a defender. The character that absorbs all that incoming fire while protecting damage-dealers and support classes. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: her out-of-mech state, 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 sets her apart among other defenders, and is why I ultimately adored her: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

Boosters is an ability that enables the MEKA pilot (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, opting to rise onto a elevated position or divert completely and navigate past barriers like turns or the objective. This grants D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his forward assault. Her Thrusters is brilliant for my playstyle: I like to soak up the damage and defend allies, while also being able to get out if it gets gnarly so I may reassemble – it makes me feel indestructible, even though this isn't entirely true.

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

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as activating Thrusters, you send them flying backwards for 25 damage. Let me tell you, few things are as gratifying 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.

The hero might not rank as the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, particularly with characters like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities 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. I don’t think that any a D.Va equivalent, and believe me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I have sought my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. The truth is, after playing her for years, I feel like there isn’t ever going to be 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 excels in movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can absorb attacks while opening chances for her team.
• Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.