The MEKA Pilot's Boosters Make Her the Ultimate Aerial Defender

For a long time, I was not a fan of multiplayer games. I engaged in numerous of them with my friends, but none kept my attention. My aim was poor, and seemed more a liability than aid to my squad. Then, 2016’s Overwatch happened and presented me with a character and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

At first glance, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, didn’t seem the type that should have appealed to me. The sniper Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her gothic look and measured speech. But D.Va possessed the advantage of being the role I prefer: a tank. The character that absorbs all that damage while shielding attackers and healers. Better yet, D.Va has two forms: her out-of-mech state, 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 there’s something else that makes her stand out among other defenders, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Thrusters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, providing a velocity increase and letting her advance through the air for a set distance. But you can also change directions mid-flight, choosing to ascend onto a elevated position or divert completely and head around obstacles like turns or the payload. It gives D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can truly emulate — not even Reinhardt with his charge ability. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: I prefer to absorb attacks and defend allies, while also being able to get out if the situation intensifies so I can regroup – it makes me feel indestructible, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability is not just for movility; it also inflicts damage to enemies along the route.

An offensive component exists to D.Va’s Boosters ability. When opponents obstruct the path as you’re using Boosters, they are knocked back for 25 damage. I assure you, few things are as gratifying than eliminating a troublesome Ashe by striking her directly with your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

The hero might not rank as the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like certain other tanks whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for the current meta. But she’s also among the most original heroes I have experienced in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely there really is a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, after playing games like Marvel Rivals since leaving 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, I feel like there isn’t ever going to be as fun and innovative to play as D.Va. Despite any issues Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• The MEKA Pilot shines at movement and interference.
• Her Thrusters 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.