The MEKA Pilot's Boosters Establish Her as the Ultimate Aerial Defender

For a long time, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but none kept my attention. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than aid to my squad. Then, 2016’s Overwatch happened and introduced me to a character and an skill that's remained memorable ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who pilots a mech, 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. But D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a defender. The character that absorbs all that damage while shielding attackers and healers. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her pilot form, in which she runs around with a gun, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. These two forms make her quite distinctive, but another feature that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is why I ultimately adored her: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Boosters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. Additionally, players may change directions mid-flight, choosing to ascend onto a higher level or divert completely and head around obstacles like turns or the objective. This grants D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that no other defender can truly emulate — including Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: I like to soak up the damage and protect my team, while having the option to retreat if it gets gnarly so I can regroup – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

D.Va’s Boosters is not just for movility; it also inflicts harm to enemies in its path.

There’s even a damage element to the Thrusters skill. When opponents obstruct the path as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back for a set amount of harm. I assure 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 attempt long-range attacks.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 nowadays, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for present strategies. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I’ve ever played in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely that any a direct counterpart to D.Va, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I have sought my next D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for a long time. In reality, after playing her for years, I feel like no future tank character as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as D.Va. Despite any issues 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 absorb attacks while opening chances for allies.
• Despite meta shifts, D.Va stays a beloved choice for distinctive approach.