

It’s 9 am on a Monday, but Sprayarn is nice enough to take time out of his usual ranked playtime to talk to me. Spray has always been sweet, and he lets me video call him this morning. His blondish brown hair has a just out of bed look, and he pulls at it a bit as we say hello.





It’s 9 am on a Monday, but Sprayarn is nice enough to take time out of his usual ranked playtime to talk to me. Spray has always been sweet, and he lets me video call him this morning. His blondish brown hair has a just out of bed look, and he pulls at it a bit as we say hello.



Ashyko: Good morning, Spray. Thanks for talking with me today. Let’s start with the basics, how old are you and do you have a real life name you want to share?



Sprayarn: I’m 12 and my name is Xavier (He’s smiling and laughing).



I smile and laugh just as he wanted me to. You can tell he’s incredibly charming.



Ashyko: yeah, but really…



Sprayarn: I’m 20 and my real life name is Andreas.



Ashyko: so how tall are you?



Sprayyarn: I’m 180 cm



Ashyko: Oh god, you’re going to make me do math aren’t you? Around 5’10”



Sprayarn: I don’t know (he’s laughing at me).



Ashyko: So you’re tall, but not that tall. 20 years old… are you in college or working?



Sprayarn:I work a little bit. A couple hours during the weekday. I don’t want to say what I work with though.



He’s flashing that charming smile again and playing with the piercing in his eyebrow.



Ashyko: Why do I feel like you’re talking a Magic Mike like career? What do you do for fun when you're not playing smite or working?



Sprayarn: I’m a party animal. I tend to go out every weekend with friends and stuff,;during weekdays I practice with the team and hang with friends or some girl.



Ashyko: Some girl? Does that mean you don't have a girlfriend, but rather like to play the field?



Sprayarn: Correct, I do not have a girlfriend right now. By my own choice. I have been in a couple long - term relationships but right now I enjoy the freedom.



Sprayarn: Also I’m a big anime/manga fan. I love Japan. So I tend to watch a lot of anime and read a lot of mangas whenever I can.

It feels like he’s trying to change the subject away from his playboy lifestyle, so I let it go.



Ashyko: What's your favorite anime/manga?



Sprayarn: My favorite anime of all time has to be Death Note. If you haven’t watched it, I strongly recommend you to. My favorite manga is a bit more tricky, except the normal ones like One Piece, Bleach and Naruto; I really enjoy Sun - ken rock.



Ashyko: Okay, well some more favorites then. Favorite food?



Sprayarn: Favorite food…my mother in laws grilled salmon. With some nice (spices?) and a touch of lemon, it's absolutely delicious.



He looks hungry thinking about it, and I laugh. English isn’t his first language, and I don’t think he realizes his mistake.



Ashyko: I don't think you mean mother in law. That's your wife's mom. Your step-mom maybe?



He laughs good humoredly at his mistake.



Sprayarn: oh! Yeah, step-mom. I have no wife.



Ashyko: So do you always prefer fish?



Sprayarn: Nah, I’m normally a meat fan. I love all kinds of meat.



Ashyko: How about a favorite color?



There’s no hesitation.



Sprayarn: Sky - blue



Ashyko: why?



Sprayarn: Cause whenever I look at the sky, I always feel peaceful. So sky - blue is the color that makes me feel relaxed and peaceful.



I can’t help but smile at the deep and thoughtful response. The look on his face makes me wish I could give him a hug.



Ashyko: So smite talk. You started out playing mid right?



Sprayarn: I broke out into the competitive scene as a mid player, correct.



Ashyko: Why mid?



Sprayarn: Because I loved the aspect of 1v1 and outplaying the opponent. It felt more rewarding than winning a 2v2.



Ashyko: And then you switched to solo lane when Bumba's mask released, and this weekend you played the solo lane as a mage, why the changes?



You can hear the passion in his voice as he answers.



Sprayarn: Mid was already, as claimed by many, a farm lane. However, with the right conditions and knowledge, you could pick up a kill or at the very least force a player back and win by that regard. When jungling was introduced, mid lane was no longer a lane in which the best player won. The player with the best jungler won. It also forced an unbelievable more passive mid, which is why you saw players like Lassiz and Psiyo, who were very aggressive mid laners and playmakers for their team, change to a jungle role.



Ashyko: And now? How's the solo lane with a mage working for you?



Sprayarn: It's working out in most cases. You are more susceptible for ganks, so that's a big downside, but as long as I play my cards right, I think I can do fine. Only problem right now with the solo lane is teleport. It's nearly impossible to push a tower down, even if you poke someone down and force them back, they will be back before you are able to do any damage to the tower. So your best bet is to at least try and deny them a bit of gold.



Ashyko: So what advice would you give aspiring pro players?



Sprayarn: Dedication and tons of hours of just playing the game.



Ashyko: Any suggestions on getting noticed or picked up by a team? Or should new players just start forming new teams?



Sprayarn: As ranked is reset right now, now more than ever is your chance to rise and get known. If you can stream, that helps as well.



Ashyko: Since the splitting of the EU and NA scenes, they've both developed distinctly different types of play. What do you think the difference is?



Sprayarn: Play style and different god pools. I find NA mid laners especially boring to watch, because I never see anything outside the box. It's always flavor of the month mid vs flavor of the month mid.



Ashyko: And EU isn't like that?



Sprayarn: Not everyone of course, but I’m speaking of top teams. I know I used to run Aphrodite and Hel a lot, while the majority just ran Poseidon vs Agni every matchup. And of course we can’t forget Psiyo's crazy Ne zha, Thor and Hercules mids.



Ashyko: Right, so on that note, who is your favorite god to play and why?



Sprayarn: My favorite god is Hel (#remembertheHel) because she is very unique. She is currently the only god that has two forms. And I really love the concept of being able to either damage or healing in a team-fight. Makes her a bit more tricky to play than something like Poseidon, for example, who is pretty straightforward.



Ashyko: So you like the challenge of playing her well



Sprayarn: Yes, playing a good game as Hel feels very rewarding. As rewarding as landing a good RA ulti or a big Dragon ulti.



Ashyko: How do you think HiRez could expand the competitive scene?



Sprayarn: More exposure in EU. Gamescom is going be huge exposure point.



Ashyko: Yeah, are you excited for that? And to meet all the possible Smite fans and the other players?



Sprayarn: I am very excited for Gamescom! Not only to meet people like HirezBart and my team, but also everyone else attending. I have to remember to bring my pen in case a fan-girl wants my autograph (He laughs and flashes a charming smile). Playing in the LAN will be nice too. Can finally play a match without getting DDOSed.



The anger and annoyance at the DDOSing situation was palpable.



Ashyko: I'm sure there will be lots of fan girls beating down your door. What does a fan girl need to do to get your attention?



He laughs again and the tension from discussing the DDOSing is gone.



Sprayarn: Be a pro-gamer!



Ashyko: Do you have a "type"?



Sprayarn: (He answers with a straight face)Pro gamers.



Ashyko: You don't care what they look like? Just that they be pro gamers? (I can’t help but laugh out loud at him).



Sprayarn: As long as they look somewhat decent, no not really. Cause then I can sit at home and play videogames with a girlfriend and we can eat pizza and get fat together.



Ashyko: What would be your ideal date?



Sprayarn: Ideal date... I’m always horrible at planning that, even though I am the master tactician for Denial EU, girls are harder to understand.



I laugh at him again.



Ashyko: And here you've been so charming I thought you were a ladies man!



Sprayarn: Charming does not equal a good date planner.



Ashyko: Okay, so last question. If you could build your ideal fantasy smite team not including you or your teammates, who would be on it and why?



He looks up and pulls at his hair again. You can tell he’s really thinking.



Sprayarn: Hmm...I want to see Allied/Lassiz get back in lane with each other; they were fun to watch play together. DMbrandon as the jungler with Arachne I would watch, and Hyrrok back as an aggressive support tank like Guan. And then as ranged ADC I guess Zapman, he makes good plays. I want to see Psiyo back in mid with some new crazy stuff.



Ashyko: Awesome, I lied and do have one question I forgot to ask earlier. Where does your name come from?



Sprayarn: Sprayarn came from back when I played Counter-strike. I used to spray like a noob but I got really good at spraying and therefore "Sprayarn" it's a swedish term for "The Sprayer".



I laugh uncontrollably at the innuendo in the name and it’s Swedish meaning. He blushes a bit.



Ashyko: I'm sorry, but the sprayer totally sounds like a reference to something dirty



Sprayarn: Well sorry, Ashy, but it’s not. (There is humor in his voice again).



Ashyko: Anything else you want to share?



Sprayarn: If you meet me at Gamescom, buy me a beer and I’m yours.



Ashyko: Do you have a favorite beer?



Sprayarn: Norrlands Guld (Swedish beer), actually scratch that – Staropramen.





I thanked him for his time, and he smiled and pulled at his hair again. I was reminded that Sprayarn was a bit cocky in game, but that it was for good reason. His skill level and thought put into the game is deep and analytical. For anyone going to Gamescom, watch out for this one. He’ll charm your panties off! It’s 9 am on a Monday, but Sprayarn is nice enough to take time out of his usual ranked playtime to talk to me. Spray has always been sweet, and he lets me video call him this morning. His blondish brown hair has a just out of bed look, and he pulls at it a bit as we say hello.It’s 9 am on a Monday, but Sprayarn is nice enough to take time out of his usual ranked playtime to talk to me. Spray has always been sweet, and he lets me video call him this morning. His blondish brown hair has a just out of bed look, and he pulls at it a bit as we say hello.Ashyko: Good morning, Spray. Thanks for talking with me today. Let’s start with the basics, how old are you and do you have a real life name you want to share?Sprayarn: I’m 12 and my name is Xavier (He’s smiling and laughing).I smile and laugh just as he wanted me to. You can tell he’s incredibly charming.Ashyko: yeah, but really…Sprayarn: I’m 20 and my real life name is Andreas.Ashyko: so how tall are you?Sprayyarn: I’m 180 cmAshyko: Oh god, you’re going to make me do math aren’t you? Around 5’10”Sprayarn: I don’t know (he’s laughing at me).Ashyko: So you’re tall, but not that tall. 20 years old… are you in college or working?Sprayarn:I work a little bit. A couple hours during the weekday. I don’t want to say what I work with though.He’s flashing that charming smile again and playing with the piercing in his eyebrow.Ashyko: Why do I feel like you’re talking a Magic Mike like career? What do you do for fun when you're not playing smite or working?Sprayarn: I’m a party animal. I tend to go out every weekend with friends and stuff,;during weekdays I practice with the team and hang with friends or some girl.Ashyko: Some girl? Does that mean you don't have a girlfriend, but rather like to play the field?Sprayarn: Correct, I do not have a girlfriend right now. By my own choice. I have been in a couple long - term relationships but right now I enjoy the freedom.Sprayarn: Also I’m a big anime/manga fan. I love Japan. So I tend to watch a lot of anime and read a lot of mangas whenever I can.It feels like he’s trying to change the subject away from his playboy lifestyle, so I let it go.Ashyko: What's your favorite anime/manga?Sprayarn: My favorite anime of all time has to be Death Note. If you haven’t watched it, I strongly recommend you to. My favorite manga is a bit more tricky, except the normal ones like One Piece, Bleach and Naruto; I really enjoy Sun - ken rock.Ashyko: Okay, well some more favorites then. Favorite food?Sprayarn: Favorite food…my mother in laws grilled salmon. With some nice (spices?) and a touch of lemon, it's absolutely delicious.He looks hungry thinking about it, and I laugh. English isn’t his first language, and I don’t think he realizes his mistake.Ashyko: I don't think you mean mother in law. That's your wife's mom. Your step-mom maybe?He laughs good humoredly at his mistake.Sprayarn: oh! Yeah, step-mom. I have no wife.Ashyko: So do you always prefer fish?Sprayarn: Nah, I’m normally a meat fan. I love all kinds of meat.Ashyko: How about a favorite color?There’s no hesitation.Sprayarn: Sky - blueAshyko: why?Sprayarn: Cause whenever I look at the sky, I always feel peaceful. So sky - blue is the color that makes me feel relaxed and peaceful.I can’t help but smile at the deep and thoughtful response. The look on his face makes me wish I could give him a hug.Ashyko: So smite talk. You started out playing mid right?Sprayarn: I broke out into the competitive scene as a mid player, correct.Ashyko: Why mid?Sprayarn: Because I loved the aspect of 1v1 and outplaying the opponent. It felt more rewarding than winning a 2v2.Ashyko: And then you switched to solo lane when Bumba's mask released, and this weekend you played the solo lane as a mage, why the changes?You can hear the passion in his voice as he answers.Sprayarn: Mid was already, as claimed by many, a farm lane. However, with the right conditions and knowledge, you could pick up a kill or at the very least force a player back and win by that regard. When jungling was introduced, mid lane was no longer a lane in which the best player won. The player with the best jungler won. It also forced an unbelievable more passive mid, which is why you saw players like Lassiz and Psiyo, who were very aggressive mid laners and playmakers for their team, change to a jungle role.Ashyko: And now? How's the solo lane with a mage working for you?Sprayarn: It's working out in most cases. You are more susceptible for ganks, so that's a big downside, but as long as I play my cards right, I think I can do fine. Only problem right now with the solo lane is teleport. It's nearly impossible to push a tower down, even if you poke someone down and force them back, they will be back before you are able to do any damage to the tower. So your best bet is to at least try and deny them a bit of gold.Ashyko: So what advice would you give aspiring pro players?Sprayarn: Dedication and tons of hours of just playing the game.Ashyko: Any suggestions on getting noticed or picked up by a team? Or should new players just start forming new teams?Sprayarn: As ranked is reset right now, now more than ever is your chance to rise and get known. If you can stream, that helps as well.Ashyko: Since the splitting of the EU and NA scenes, they've both developed distinctly different types of play. What do you think the difference is?Sprayarn: Play style and different god pools. I find NA mid laners especially boring to watch, because I never see anything outside the box. It's always flavor of the month mid vs flavor of the month mid.Ashyko: And EU isn't like that?Sprayarn: Not everyone of course, but I’m speaking of top teams. I know I used to run Aphrodite and Hel a lot, while the majority just ran Poseidon vs Agni every matchup. And of course we can’t forget Psiyo's crazy Ne zha, Thor and Hercules mids.Ashyko: Right, so on that note, who is your favorite god to play and why?Sprayarn: My favorite god is Hel (#remembertheHel) because she is very unique. She is currently the only god that has two forms. And I really love the concept of being able to either damage or healing in a team-fight. Makes her a bit more tricky to play than something like Poseidon, for example, who is pretty straightforward.Ashyko: So you like the challenge of playing her wellSprayarn: Yes, playing a good game as Hel feels very rewarding. As rewarding as landing a good RA ulti or a big Dragon ulti.Ashyko: How do you think HiRez could expand the competitive scene?Sprayarn: More exposure in EU. Gamescom is going be huge exposure point.Ashyko: Yeah, are you excited for that? And to meet all the possible Smite fans and the other players?Sprayarn: I am very excited for Gamescom! Not only to meet people like HirezBart and my team, but also everyone else attending. I have to remember to bring my pen in case a fan-girl wants my autograph (He laughs and flashes a charming smile). Playing in the LAN will be nice too. Can finally play a match without getting DDOSed.The anger and annoyance at the DDOSing situation was palpable.Ashyko: I'm sure there will be lots of fan girls beating down your door. What does a fan girl need to do to get your attention?He laughs again and the tension from discussing the DDOSing is gone.Sprayarn: Be a pro-gamer!Ashyko: Do you have a "type"?Sprayarn: (He answers with a straight face)Pro gamers.Ashyko: You don't care what they look like? Just that they be pro gamers? (I can’t help but laugh out loud at him).Sprayarn: As long as they look somewhat decent, no not really. Cause then I can sit at home and play videogames with a girlfriend and we can eat pizza and get fat together.Ashyko: What would be your ideal date?Sprayarn: Ideal date... I’m always horrible at planning that, even though I am the master tactician for Denial EU, girls are harder to understand.I laugh at him again.Ashyko: And here you've been so charming I thought you were a ladies man!Sprayarn: Charming does not equal a good date planner.Ashyko: Okay, so last question. If you could build your ideal fantasy smite team not including you or your teammates, who would be on it and why?He looks up and pulls at his hair again. You can tell he’s really thinking.Sprayarn: Hmm...I want to see Allied/Lassiz get back in lane with each other; they were fun to watch play together. DMbrandon as the jungler with Arachne I would watch, and Hyrrok back as an aggressive support tank like Guan. And then as ranged ADC I guess Zapman, he makes good plays. I want to see Psiyo back in mid with some new crazy stuff.Ashyko: Awesome, I lied and do have one question I forgot to ask earlier. Where does your name come from?Sprayarn: Sprayarn came from back when I played Counter-strike. I used to spray like a noob but I got really good at spraying and therefore "Sprayarn" it's a swedish term for "The Sprayer".I laugh uncontrollably at the innuendo in the name and it’s Swedish meaning. He blushes a bit.Ashyko: I'm sorry, but the sprayer totally sounds like a reference to something dirtySprayarn: Well sorry, Ashy, but it’s not. (There is humor in his voice again).Ashyko: Anything else you want to share?Sprayarn: If you meet me at Gamescom, buy me a beer and I’m yours.Ashyko: Do you have a favorite beer?Sprayarn: Norrlands Guld (Swedish beer), actually scratch that – Staropramen.I thanked him for his time, and he smiled and pulled at his hair again. I was reminded that Sprayarn was a bit cocky in game, but that it was for good reason. His skill level and thought put into the game is deep and analytical. For anyone going to Gamescom, watch out for this one. He’ll charm your panties off! Edited 1 time(s). Last edit by xFoxtrotx , 3 months ago at 12:59 pm on Jul 22nd.