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. I was bad at shooting, and seemed more a liability than help to my teammates. Subsequently, 2016’s Overwatch happened and introduced me to a hero and an ability that's been stuck in my mind ever since.

Initially, D.Va, an esports star turned pilot who commands a MEKA, wasn’t the sort of character that would attract to me. Widowmaker was more my style, with her gothic look and monotone drawl. However D.Va had the benefit of being the role I prefer: a defender. The character that absorbs all that damage while protecting damage-dealers and healers. Additionally, D.Va has dual modes: her out-of-mech state, in which she runs around with a gun, and her mech form, in which she’s strapped into her MEKA. These two forms make her pretty unique, but there’s something else that sets her apart among her fellow tanks, and is the reason I inevitably fell in love: her close-quarters and mobility skill, Thrusters.

Thrusters represent a skill that lets D.Va (in her MEKA form) propel skyward, providing a velocity increase and allowing her to fly forward for 24 meters. But you can also 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 really replicate — including Reinhardt with his forward assault. D.Va’s Boosters is brilliant for my playstyle: I like to soak up the damage and protect my team, while also being able to get out if the situation intensifies so I may reassemble – it creates a sense of invincibility, even though this isn't entirely true.

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

An offensive component exists to D.Va’s Boosters ability. If enemies get in the way as activating Thrusters, they are knocked back 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 your MEKA. That serves as a lesson to try and snipe you from afar.

The hero might not rank as the top defender in Overwatch 2 currently, especially when you’ve got heroes like Orisa and Ramattra whose raw defensive abilities make them a superior choice for the current meta. Yet she remains among the most original heroes I’ve ever played in a multiplayer game. I don’t think that any 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, with extensive time as her, I feel like no future tank character as enjoyable and groundbreaking to play as she is. For all the faults Overwatch 2 might have, character design and abilities are certainly not among them.

  • The MEKA Pilot excels in movement and interference.
  • Her Thrusters provide superior flight maneuverability.
  • She can soak damage while creating opportunities for her team.
  • Regardless of strategy changes, D.Va stays a beloved choice for distinctive approach.
Angela Gibson
Angela Gibson

Astrophysicist and space journalist with 15 years of experience covering orbital missions and celestial phenomena.