Just a couple of off-the-top-of-my-head, probably bad ideas:
Maybe instead of armour getting removed if your stats become too low to use it, instead its protection is reduced to 0 for the duration of the lowered stats?
Maybe lowered mobility? -50% dmage -2 strength and 0 protection would still be a bit too much wouldn't it?
Also 50% Blocking to 0% blocking is the difference between life and death
