Grip of Phyresis

The Germ token exists on the battlefield as a 0/0 for a brief moment before the Equipment becomes attached to it. Abilities that trigger when a creature enters the battlefield will trigger based on its natural characteristics, not the characteristics it has immediately after becoming equipped.

If the Equipment doesn’t provide a toughness boost, your Germ token will have 0 toughness and die. You’ll still control the Equipment.