It would change the game quite dramatically
Small creature attacks become almost irrelevant, and your effect rolls become more important.
It makes defensive strategies stronger as you know you can survive far more attacks in the early stages.
It gives an extra benefit to fire mages due to the ease of item destruction with explode, and you could then also take dissolves to end with a large equipment amount 'up' on your opponent. If anything it reduces Steal Equipment as you will have the slot filled yourlf.
