D&D General Shadow vs belt of giant strength

[Bayushi_seikuro]

I'd run it as the Shadow drains your base score, but as long as you're wearing the belt/gauntlets your magically enhanced STR will keep you alive. Basically the same as the Crawford ruling.

I can also see this approach in a similiar way to Tony Stark's arc reactor keeping him alive by repulsing the shrapnel from reaching his chest. Now, the question becomes how to balance it because, as was said, when's the last time any PCs got butt nekkid and took off any gear?