D.Va's Thrusters Make Her the Supreme Flying Tank

Over many years, I had little interest of multiplayer games. I played plenty of them with my friends, but few held my interest. I was bad at shooting, and felt like more of a hindrance than aid to my squad. Then, the release of Overwatch in 2016 arrived and introduced me to a hero and an skill that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, a gamer girl turned child-soldier who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her dark aesthetic and measured speech. However D.Va had the benefit of being my favorite class: a tank. The character that absorbs all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and healers. Additionally, D.Va has two forms: her pilot form, in which she moves with a blaster, and her MEKA configuration, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her pretty unique, but another feature that sets her apart among her fellow tanks, 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, giving her a boost of speed and letting her advance through the air for 24 meters. Additionally, players may alter course while airborne, choosing to ascend onto a higher level or divert completely and head around obstacles like turns or the objective. It gives D.Va a dynamism and freedom of movement that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — 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 having the option to retreat if the situation intensifies so I may reassemble – it makes me feel indestructible, even though that’s never really the case.

D.Va’s Boosters isn't solely for travel; 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 you’re using Boosters, you send them flying backwards for a set amount of harm. Let me tell you, there’s nothing more satisfying than finishing off a pesky Ashe by bopping her on the nose with the mech. That’ll teach her to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the top defender in Overwatch 2 nowadays, particularly with characters like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities make them a better pick for the current meta. But she’s also one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a competitive title. I don’t think there really is a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals after falling off Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and my next Boosters, for a long time. In reality, 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, hero creation and skills are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide superior flight maneuverability.
• She can soak damage while creating opportunities for allies.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a fan-favorite for distinctive approach.