Evil Geniuses (EG) captain Tal “Fly” Aizik has come out to say that the third game of their series against Nigma Esports was heavily influenced by the neutral items.

He said that the neutral items added to Dota 2 in the massive Outlanders Update “change the game too much” in an interview with the hosting panel of DreamLeague Season 13: The Leipzig Major Playoffs.

“This is the second time we’ve had to play against the Repair Kit, the first time was against Natus Vincere [in the Group Stage.] I could say I got a little frustrated, I know they’re new to Dota but these items change the game too much,” said Fly.

In the third game, Nigma had a very strong base defense headed by a last pick Tinker alongside Legion Commander, Elder Titan, and Treant Protector.

EG were dominant in that game from the get-go, but they were unable to overcome a Nigma base defense that was made even more formidable when they got a Repair Kit — which grants armor and health regeneration to a building (multi-shot too if it’s a tower).

The EG captain cited the Philosopher’s Stone, which grants 200 mana and 60 gold per minute to its holder at the cost of a 35 damage reduction, as another game-changing neutral item.

“In that game, there wasn’t a Philosopher’s Stone, but if you have that in a 50-minute game your Disruptor is gonna get his Aghanim’s Scepter,” added Fly.

While Repair Kit certainly helped Nigma’s strategy in game three of their series, EG had neutral item drops going their way as well since they were able to get the Leveller — which granted its holder bonus damage against buildings.

“We found the counter [against Repair Kit in] the Leveller, which is something I would never have thought of in my life,” said Fly.

The EG captain added that once EG offlaner Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev acquired the Leveller, he said something along the lines of, “Alright I can kill this tower finally after hitting it a hundred times.”

But for as much as that game was influenced by neutral items, Fly also added that it was still ultimately decided by the players themselves.

“That game was definitely a test of patience. The whole time we felt in control, but we could always make one slip-up which is what they’re waiting for and then that game could turn,” said Fly.

Indeed, it was apparent impatience and one slip-up that decided that EG-Nigma series. Nigma responded to EG’s relentless pressure by venturing out of their base to try and relieve it, but they lost four heroes in that maneuver to hand their opponents the chance they needed to win.

In such chaotic situations, Fly stressed that it’s “important to stay focused and disciplined.”

Fly and EG will be continuing their campaign for their organization’s first Major championship in Day 2 of the Leipzig Major against top Chinese team Vici Gaming.

READ MORE: Vici Gaming’s Huskar was unkillable against Invictus Gaming at the Leipzig Major