Damian "FaymousHate" Gudel is currently the Hunter for the Cognitive Prime team. FaymousHate is well known in ranked play for his hunter skill and his ability to take and maintain control of his lane while bringing a heavy presence to the team fight. FaymousHate has been a part of Cognitive Gaming along with the rest of his team formally known as What's Kraken since February after placing third in the 2015 Week 1 qualifiers. In this interview we discuss Smite, the SPL, and a few pertinent life questions as well.

When did you start playing Smite?

FH: July 2012.

So you have been in on Smite since the closed beta, what was it about Smite that kept you coming back for more?

FH: The improvement factor, and the competitiveness the game brings. I knew one day I would be a good player and that kept in me in Smite.

Well you have definitely become a great player in Smite. Who is your favorite god to play in the hunter role?

FH: I would have to say Xbalanque or Anhur.

Have they been favorites for you through out your time playing Smite or did you have different favorites in the closed and open beta days?

FH: Anhur has been my favorite throughout Smite. Apollo was my favorite until he received his nerf. Xbalanque is one my favorites now because he's viable in the current meta.

In this current meta is there any item other than boots that you would say is necessary on all hunters no matter the match up?

FH: Executioner.

So what two gods would you recommend to someone completely new to Smite to try and focus on learning at the hunter role?

FH: Definitely Anhur and Ullr because they have a very high skill cap and they define what hunter is about.

Let's talk a little about your journey to the COG Prime roster. How many teams were you on before you picked up the COG sponsorship?

FH: I was on 3 teams before playing with the team I'm currently on.

How long have you five been together as a team?

FH: We've been a team for about 3 1/2 months and were picked up by Cognitive Gaming in February.

Was this pick up by Cognitive a surprise for you guys or had the talks been going on for a bit before it finally went down?

FH: It had been in the works a little while before then.

Do you guys feel some pressure playing under the banner that won the championship in season 1?

FH: Not at all.

Well you guys did have a good first week in the SPL followed by a few rough weeks playing against some top contenders in the NA division. Such as Cloud 9 in Week 3 who are the former COG world championship team and then Team Solo Mid in week 4 who were formally COG Red and secured 3rd place in the world championship. Is it a good experience for you guys to be playing these teams early on in the season that have the competitive experience and history together?

FH: It's a very good experience because we figured out what we need to improve on as a team.

Speaking of improving do you guys get a chance to scrim against some of the other pro teams during the week before your matches?

FH: No, We barely get to scrim the other pro teams. We do scrim against a lot of the Challenger Cup teams though and that's one of our main sources of practicing as a team.

What team do you think is the one to keep an eye out for in the Challenger Cup this season?

FH: EGR and Legion, two really good teams.

Alright so before I end this interview I have some of life's must know questions to ask you so just pick which one you prefer.. Dogs or Cats?

FH: Dogs.

Pancakes or Waffles?

FH: Pancakes.

Chess or Checkers?

FH: Checkers.

Star Trek or Star Wars?

FH: Star Wars.

Hmmmm I'll pretend you said Star Trek and let that one slide.

FH: Haha I knew you would say something like that!