D.Va's Thrusters Establish Her as the Supreme Flying Tank

Over many years, I had little interest of online competitive titles. I engaged in numerous of them with companions, but few held my interest. My aim was poor, and felt like more of a hindrance than help to my teammates. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch arrived and presented me with 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, didn’t seem the type that would attract to me. Widowmaker was closer to my preference, with her dark aesthetic and monotone drawl. However D.Va possessed the advantage of being my favorite class: a defender. The one who soaks up all that incoming fire while shielding attackers and healers. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her pilot form, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s seated within her MEKA. This duality make her quite distinctive, but another feature that makes her stand out among her fellow tanks, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her melee and movement ability, Boosters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) launch into the air, giving her a boost of speed and allowing her to fly forward for a set distance. But you can also change directions mid-flight, opting to rise onto a higher level or veer entirely and navigate past barriers like corners or the payload. This grants D.Va a agility and unrestricted motion that none of the other tanks can really replicate — 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 the situation intensifies so I may reassemble – it makes me feel indestructible, even though that’s never really the case.

The Thrusters ability isn't solely for travel; it additionally deals harm to foes in its path.

There’s even a damage element to D.Va’s Boosters ability. 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 the mech. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

D.Va may not be the “best” tank in Overwatch 2 nowadays, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose pure defensive skills make them a better pick for present strategies. Yet she remains one of the most unique characters I’ve ever played in a multiplayer game. It seems unlikely there really is a D.Va equivalent, and trust me, following experiences like Marvel Rivals since leaving Overwatch 2, I’ve been looking for my next D.Va, and a similar mobility skill, for years. The truth is, with extensive time as her, I feel like no future tank character as fun and innovative to play as D.Va. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

• D.Va shines at mobility and disruption.
• Her Boosters provide unmatched aerial control.
• The hero can absorb attacks while opening chances for allies.
• Despite meta shifts, she remains a fan-favorite for her unique playstyle.