diff --git a/code/datums/mutations/body.dm b/code/datums/mutations/body.dm
index b205dd14f6d..9b92da0dbdf 100644
--- a/code/datums/mutations/body.dm
+++ b/code/datums/mutations/body.dm
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@
 	desc = "The user's muscles slightly expand. Commonly seen in top-ranking boxers."
 	quality = POSITIVE
 	text_gain_indication = span_notice("You feel strong.")
-	instability = POSITIVE_INSTABILITY_MINI
+	instability = POSITIVE_INSTABILITY_MINOR
 	difficulty = 16
 	mutation_traits = list(TRAIT_STRENGTH)
 
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/_species.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/_species.dm
index 1585fa9b83a..a43a7ef0322 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/_species.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/_species.dm
@@ -883,8 +883,22 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(features_by_species)
 	//Someone in a grapple is much more vulnerable to being harmed by punches.
 	var/grappled = (target.pulledby && target.pulledby.grab_state >= GRAB_AGGRESSIVE)
 
-	var/damage = rand(attacking_bodypart.unarmed_damage_low, attacking_bodypart.unarmed_damage_high)
+	// Our lower and upper unarmed damage values. Damage is rolled between these two values.
+	var/lower_unarmed_damage = attacking_bodypart.unarmed_damage_low
+	var/upper_unarmed_damage = attacking_bodypart.unarmed_damage_high
+
+	// The presence of TRAIT_STRENGTH increases our upper unarmed damage. This is a damage cap increase.
+	upper_unarmed_damage += HAS_TRAIT(user, TRAIT_STRENGTH) ? 2 : 0
+
+	// Out athletics skill is used to set our potential base damage roll. It won't increase our potential damage roll, but will make our unarmed attack more consistent.
+	// For a normal human arm, this would cap at 10, and for a normal human leg, this would go up to 14.
+	lower_unarmed_damage =  min(lower_unarmed_damage + (user.mind?.get_skill_level(/datum/skill/athletics) || 0), upper_unarmed_damage)
+
+	// The actual damage roll. May still be augmented by further factors.
+	var/damage = rand(lower_unarmed_damage, upper_unarmed_damage)
+	// Limb accuracy is used to determine miss probabilities (higher the value, the less likely you are to miss), armor penetration (if entitled) and the possible result from a stagger combo hit.
 	var/limb_accuracy = attacking_bodypart.unarmed_effectiveness
+	// Limb sharpness determines the type of wounds this unarmed strike could possibly roll. By default, most limbs are blunt and have no sharpness.
 	var/limb_sharpness = attacking_bodypart.unarmed_sharpness
 
 	if(grappled)
@@ -923,7 +937,7 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(features_by_species)
 	var/obj/item/bodypart/affecting = target.get_bodypart(hit_zone)
 
 	var/miss_chance = 100//calculate the odds that a punch misses entirely. considers stamina and brute damage of the puncher. punches miss by default to prevent weird cases
-	if(attacking_bodypart.unarmed_damage_low)
+	if(lower_unarmed_damage)
 		if((target.body_position == LYING_DOWN) || HAS_TRAIT(user, TRAIT_PERFECT_ATTACKER) || staggered || user_drunkenness && HAS_TRAIT(user, TRAIT_DRUNKEN_BRAWLER)) //kicks and attacks against staggered targets never miss (provided your species deals more than 0 damage). Drunken brawlers while drunk also don't miss
 			miss_chance = 0
 		else
@@ -1008,8 +1022,8 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(features_by_species)
 
 /// Handles the stagger combo effect of our punch. Follows the same logic as the above proc, target is our owner, user is our attacker.
 /datum/species/proc/stagger_combo(mob/living/carbon/human/user, mob/living/carbon/human/target, atk_verb = "hit", limb_accuracy = 0, armor_block = 0)
-	// Randomly determines the effects of our punch. Limb accuracy is a bonus, armor block is a defense
-	var/roll_them_bones = rand(-20, 20) + limb_accuracy - armor_block
+	// Randomly determines the effects of our punch. Limb accuracy is a bonus, armor block is a defense, attacker athletics provides a minor to significant bonus.
+	var/roll_them_bones = rand(-20, 20) + limb_accuracy - armor_block + ((user.mind?.get_skill_modifier(/datum/skill/athletics, SKILL_RANDS_MODIFIER) / 2) || 0)
 
 	switch(roll_them_bones)
 		if (-INFINITY to 0) //Mostly a gimmie, this one just keeps them staggered briefly