diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals/signals_mob/signals_mob_main.dm b/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals/signals_mob/signals_mob_main.dm
index 39fa037a264..8be5b1fdb64 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals/signals_mob/signals_mob_main.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/dcs/signals/signals_mob/signals_mob_main.dm
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@
 ///Mob is trying to open the wires of a target [/atom], from /datum/wires/interactable(): (atom/target)
 #define COMSIG_TRY_WIRES_INTERACT "try_wires_interact"
 	#define COMPONENT_CANT_INTERACT_WIRES (1<<0)
-///Mob is trying to emote, from /datum/emote/proc/run_emote(): (key, params, type_override, intentional)
+///Mob is trying to emote, from /datum/emote/proc/run_emote(): (key, params, type_override, intentional, emote)
 #define COMSIG_MOB_PRE_EMOTED "mob_pre_emoted"
 	#define COMPONENT_CANT_EMOTE (1<<0)
 #define COMSIG_MOB_EMOTED(emote_key) "mob_emoted_[emote_key]"
diff --git a/code/__DEFINES/obj_flags.dm b/code/__DEFINES/obj_flags.dm
index c050c73f231..9f575de9fbc 100644
--- a/code/__DEFINES/obj_flags.dm
+++ b/code/__DEFINES/obj_flags.dm
@@ -75,20 +75,18 @@
 #define DANGEROUS_OBJECT (1<<10)
 /// Clothes that use large icons, for applying the proper overlays like blood
 #define LARGE_WORN_ICON (1<<11)
-/// Clothes that block speech (i.e the muzzle). Can be applied to any clothing piece.
-#define BLOCKS_SPEECH (1<<12)
 /// prevents from placing on plasmaman helmet or modsuit hat holder
-#define STACKABLE_HELMET_EXEMPT (1<<13)
+#define STACKABLE_HELMET_EXEMPT (1<<12)
 /// Prevents plasmamen from igniting when wearing this
-#define PLASMAMAN_PREVENT_IGNITION (1<<14)
+#define PLASMAMAN_PREVENT_IGNITION (1<<13)
 /// Usable as casting clothes by wizards (matters for suits, glasses and headwear)
-#define CASTING_CLOTHES (1<<15)
+#define CASTING_CLOTHES (1<<14)
 ///Moths can't eat the clothing that has this flag.
-#define INEDIBLE_CLOTHING (1<<16)
+#define INEDIBLE_CLOTHING (1<<15)
 /// Headgear/helmet allows internals
-#define HEADINTERNALS (1<<17)
+#define HEADINTERNALS (1<<16)
 /// Prevents masks from getting adjusted from enabling internals
-#define INTERNALS_ADJUST_EXEMPT (1<<18)
+#define INTERNALS_ADJUST_EXEMPT (1<<17)
 
 /// Integrity defines for clothing (not flags but close enough)
 #define CLOTHING_PRISTINE 0 // We have no damage on the clothing
diff --git a/code/_globalvars/bitfields.dm b/code/_globalvars/bitfields.dm
index f98178d537f..ea1b16d71ce 100644
--- a/code/_globalvars/bitfields.dm
+++ b/code/_globalvars/bitfields.dm
@@ -83,7 +83,6 @@ DEFINE_BITFIELD(car_traits, list(
 
 DEFINE_BITFIELD(clothing_flags, list(
 	"ANTI_TINFOIL_MANEUVER" = ANTI_TINFOIL_MANEUVER,
-	"BLOCKS_SPEECH" = BLOCKS_SPEECH,
 	"BLOCK_GAS_SMOKE_EFFECT" = BLOCK_GAS_SMOKE_EFFECT,
 	"CASTING_CLOTHES" = CASTING_CLOTHES,
 	"GAS_FILTERING" = GAS_FILTERING,
diff --git a/code/datums/components/knockoff.dm b/code/datums/components/knockoff.dm
index db72072789c..3fe007736a1 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/knockoff.dm
+++ b/code/datums/components/knockoff.dm
@@ -23,6 +23,10 @@
 /datum/component/knockoff/RegisterWithParent()
 	RegisterSignal(parent, COMSIG_ITEM_EQUIPPED, PROC_REF(on_equipped))
 	RegisterSignal(parent, COMSIG_ITEM_DROPPED, PROC_REF(on_dropped))
+	var/atom/movable/atom_parent = parent
+	var/mob/living/as_mob = atom_parent.loc
+	if(ismob(as_mob))
+		on_equipped(atom_parent, as_mob, as_mob.get_slot_by_item(atom_parent)) // lie a little
 
 /datum/component/knockoff/UnregisterFromParent()
 	UnregisterSignal(parent, list(COMSIG_ITEM_EQUIPPED, COMSIG_ITEM_DROPPED))
diff --git a/code/datums/elements/muffles_speech.dm b/code/datums/elements/muffles_speech.dm
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..bbf41e3c4de
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/datums/elements/muffles_speech.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+/datum/element/muffles_speech
+
+/datum/element/muffles_speech/Attach(datum/target)
+	. = ..()
+	if(!isitem(target))
+		return ELEMENT_INCOMPATIBLE
+
+	RegisterSignal(target, COMSIG_ITEM_EQUIPPED, PROC_REF(equipped))
+	RegisterSignal(target, COMSIG_ITEM_DROPPED, PROC_REF(dropped))
+
+/datum/element/muffles_speech/Detach(datum/source)
+	. = ..()
+	UnregisterSignal(source, list(COMSIG_ITEM_EQUIPPED, COMSIG_ITEM_DROPPED))
+
+/datum/element/muffles_speech/proc/equipped(obj/item/source, mob/user, slot)
+	SIGNAL_HANDLER
+	if(source.slot_flags & slot)
+		RegisterSignal(user, COMSIG_MOB_SAY, PROC_REF(muzzle_talk))
+		RegisterSignal(user, COMSIG_MOB_PRE_EMOTED, PROC_REF(emote_override))
+
+/datum/element/muffles_speech/proc/dropped(obj/item/source, mob/user)
+	SIGNAL_HANDLER
+	UnregisterSignal(user, list(COMSIG_MOB_PRE_EMOTED, COMSIG_MOB_SAY))
+
+/datum/element/muffles_speech/proc/emote_override(mob/living/source, key, params, type_override, intentional, datum/emote/emote)
+	SIGNAL_HANDLER
+	if(!emote.hands_use_check && (emote.emote_type & EMOTE_AUDIBLE))
+		source.audible_message("makes a [pick("strong ", "weak ", "")]noise.", audible_message_flags = EMOTE_MESSAGE|ALWAYS_SHOW_SELF_MESSAGE)
+		return COMPONENT_CANT_EMOTE
+	return NONE
+
+/datum/element/muffles_speech/proc/muzzle_talk(datum/source, list/speech_args)
+	SIGNAL_HANDLER
+
+	var/spoken_message = speech_args[SPEECH_MESSAGE]
+	if(spoken_message)
+		var/list/words = splittext(spoken_message, " ")
+		var/yell_suffix = copytext(spoken_message, findtext(spoken_message, "!"))
+		spoken_message = ""
+
+		for(var/ind = 1 to length(words))
+			var/new_word = ""
+			for(var/i = 1 to length(words[ind]) + rand(-1,1))
+				new_word += "m"
+			new_word += "f"
+			words[ind] = yell_suffix ? uppertext(new_word) : new_word
+		spoken_message = "[jointext(words, " ")][yell_suffix]"
+	speech_args[SPEECH_MESSAGE] = spoken_message
diff --git a/code/datums/emotes.dm b/code/datums/emotes.dm
index 36d405450af..7006d6d6daa 100644
--- a/code/datums/emotes.dm
+++ b/code/datums/emotes.dm
@@ -38,8 +38,6 @@
 	var/emote_type = EMOTE_VISIBLE
 	/// Checks if the mob can use its hands before performing the emote.
 	var/hands_use_check = FALSE
-	/// Will only work if the emote is EMOTE_AUDIBLE.
-	var/muzzle_ignore = FALSE
 	/// Types that are allowed to use that emote.
 	var/list/mob_type_allowed_typecache = /mob
 	/// Types that are NOT allowed to use that emote.
@@ -90,7 +88,7 @@
 /datum/emote/proc/run_emote(mob/user, params, type_override, intentional = FALSE)
 	if(!can_run_emote(user, TRUE, intentional))
 		return FALSE
-	if(SEND_SIGNAL(user, COMSIG_MOB_PRE_EMOTED, key, params, type_override, intentional) & COMPONENT_CANT_EMOTE)
+	if(SEND_SIGNAL(user, COMSIG_MOB_PRE_EMOTED, key, params, type_override, intentional, src) & COMPONENT_CANT_EMOTE)
 		return TRUE // We don't return FALSE because the error output would be incorrect, provide your own if necessary.
 	var/msg = select_message_type(user, message, intentional)
 	if(params && message_param)
@@ -259,8 +257,6 @@
 		return .
 	var/mob/living/living_user = user
 
-	if(!muzzle_ignore && user.is_muzzled() && emote_type & EMOTE_AUDIBLE)
-		return "makes a [pick("strong ", "weak ", "")]noise."
 	if(HAS_MIND_TRAIT(user, TRAIT_MIMING) && message_mime)
 		. = message_mime
 	if(isalienadult(user) && message_alien)
@@ -338,9 +334,7 @@
  * Returns a bool about whether or not the user should play a sound when performing the emote.
  */
 /datum/emote/proc/should_play_sound(mob/user, intentional = FALSE)
-	if(emote_type & EMOTE_AUDIBLE && !muzzle_ignore)
-		if(user.is_muzzled())
-			return FALSE
+	if(emote_type & EMOTE_AUDIBLE && !hands_use_check)
 		if(HAS_TRAIT(user, TRAIT_MUTE))
 			return FALSE
 		if(ishuman(user))
diff --git a/code/modules/clothing/masks/muzzle.dm b/code/modules/clothing/masks/muzzle.dm
index 32f29a54a1f..6154e7762cb 100644
--- a/code/modules/clothing/masks/muzzle.dm
+++ b/code/modules/clothing/masks/muzzle.dm
@@ -5,11 +5,14 @@
 	inhand_icon_state = "blindfold"
 	lefthand_file = 'icons/mob/inhands/clothing/glasses_lefthand.dmi'
 	righthand_file = 'icons/mob/inhands/clothing/glasses_righthand.dmi'
-	clothing_flags = BLOCKS_SPEECH
 	flags_cover = MASKCOVERSMOUTH
 	w_class = WEIGHT_CLASS_SMALL
 	equip_delay_other = 20
 
+/obj/item/clothing/mask/muzzle/Initialize(mapload)
+	. = ..()
+	AddElement(/datum/element/muffles_speech)
+
 /obj/item/clothing/mask/muzzle/attack_paw(mob/user, list/modifiers)
 	if(iscarbon(user))
 		var/mob/living/carbon/carbon_user = user
@@ -26,7 +29,7 @@
 	lefthand_file = 'icons/mob/inhands/clothing/masks_lefthand.dmi'
 	righthand_file = 'icons/mob/inhands/clothing/masks_righthand.dmi'
 	body_parts_covered = NONE
-	clothing_flags = MASKINTERNALS | BLOCKS_SPEECH
+	clothing_flags = MASKINTERNALS
 	armor_type = /datum/armor/muzzle_breath
 	equip_delay_other = 25 // my sprite has 4 straps, a-la a head harness. takes a while to equip, longer than a muzzle
 
@@ -37,7 +40,7 @@
 	worn_icon_state = "tape_piece_worn"
 	inhand_icon_state = null
 	w_class = WEIGHT_CLASS_TINY
-	clothing_flags = INEDIBLE_CLOTHING|BLOCKS_SPEECH
+	clothing_flags = INEDIBLE_CLOTHING
 	equip_delay_other = 40
 	strip_delay = 40
 	greyscale_config = /datum/greyscale_config/tape_piece
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/adult/alien_powers.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/adult/alien_powers.dm
index f3cfbfda8a9..999ec07f41a 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/adult/alien_powers.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/adult/alien_powers.dm
@@ -251,7 +251,8 @@ Doesn't work on other aliens/AI.*/
 	plasma_cost = 50
 
 /datum/action/cooldown/alien/acid/neurotoxin/IsAvailable(feedback = FALSE)
-	if(owner.is_muzzled())
+	var/mob/living/carbon/as_carbon = owner
+	if(istype(as_carbon) && as_carbon.is_mouth_covered(ITEM_SLOT_MASK))
 		return FALSE
 	if(!isturf(owner.loc))
 		return FALSE
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/alien.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/alien.dm
index f8210c77368..a995eafbb3a 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/alien.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/alien.dm
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@
 		return pick (list("xltrails_1", "xltrails2"))
 	else
 		return pick (list("xttrails_1", "xttrails2"))
+
 /*----------------------------------------
 Proc: AddInfectionImages()
 Des: Gives the client of the alien an image on each infected mob.
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/special/facehugger.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/special/facehugger.dm
index d068610b28f..d1ec6d7e880 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/special/facehugger.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/alien/special/facehugger.dm
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@
 	layer = MOB_LAYER
 	max_integrity = 100
 	item_flags = XENOMORPH_HOLDABLE
+	slowdown = 2
 	var/stat = CONSCIOUS //UNCONSCIOUS is the idle state in this case
 
 	var/sterile = FALSE
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@
 	)
 	AddElement(/datum/element/connect_loc, loc_connections)
 	AddElement(/datum/element/atmos_sensitive, mapload)
+	AddElement(/datum/element/muffles_speech)
 
 	RegisterSignal(src, COMSIG_LIVING_TRYING_TO_PULL, PROC_REF(react_to_mob))
 
@@ -122,7 +124,7 @@
 
 /obj/item/clothing/mask/facehugger/proc/valid_to_attach(mob/living/hit_mob)
 	// valid targets: carbons except aliens and devils
-	// facehugger state early exit checks
+	// facehugger state early exit checks (Note: Melbert does not want dead people to be huggable)
 	if(stat != CONSCIOUS)
 		return FALSE
 	if(attached)
@@ -171,9 +173,12 @@
 	log_combat(target, src, "was facehugged by")
 	return TRUE // time for a smoke
 
-/obj/item/clothing/mask/facehugger/proc/Attach(mob/living/M)
-	if(!valid_to_attach(M))
+/obj/item/clothing/mask/facehugger/proc/Attach(mob/living/victim)
+	if(!valid_to_attach(victim))
 		return
+
+	if(victim.stat < UNCONSCIOUS) //sorry bro you gotta be awake
+		victim.say("AAAA!!") //triggers muffled speech and also visual feedback i guess
 	// early returns and validity checks done: attach.
 	attached++
 	//ensure we detach once we no longer need to be attached
@@ -181,12 +186,12 @@
 
 
 	if(!sterile)
-		M.take_bodypart_damage(strength,0) //done here so that humans in helmets take damage
-		M.Unconscious(MAX_IMPREGNATION_TIME/0.3) //something like 25 ticks = 20 seconds with the default settings
-
+		victim.take_bodypart_damage(strength,0) //done here so that humans in helmets take damage
+	if(real && !sterile)
+		victim.Knockdown(5 SECONDS)
 	GoIdle() //so it doesn't jump the people that tear it off
 
-	addtimer(CALLBACK(src, PROC_REF(Impregnate), M), rand(MIN_IMPREGNATION_TIME, MAX_IMPREGNATION_TIME))
+	addtimer(CALLBACK(src, PROC_REF(Impregnate), victim), rand(MIN_IMPREGNATION_TIME, MAX_IMPREGNATION_TIME))
 
 /obj/item/clothing/mask/facehugger/proc/detach()
 	attached = 0
@@ -249,6 +254,29 @@
 
 	visible_message(span_danger("[src] curls up into a ball!"))
 
+	// chest maybe because getting slammed in the chest would knock it off your face while dead
+	AddComponent(/datum/component/knockoff, knockoff_chance = 40, target_zones = list(BODY_ZONE_HEAD, BODY_ZONE_CHEST), slots_knockoffable = slot_flags)
+
+/obj/item/clothing/mask/facehugger/allow_attack_hand_drop(mob/living/carbon/human/user)
+	if(!real || sterile || user.get_organ_by_type(/obj/item/organ/internal/body_egg/alien_embryo))
+		return ..()
+	if(istype(user) && ishuman(loc) && stat != DEAD)
+		if(user == loc && user.get_item_by_slot(slot_flags) == src)
+			to_chat(user, span_userdanger("[src] is latched on too tight! Get help or wait for it to let go!"))
+			return FALSE
+	return ..()
+
+/obj/item/clothing/mask/facehugger/mouse_drop_dragged(atom/over, mob/user, src_location, over_location, params)
+	var/mob/living/carbon/human/wearer = loc
+	if(!istype(wearer) || user != wearer)
+		return
+	if(!real || sterile || user.get_organ_by_type(/obj/item/organ/internal/body_egg/alien_embryo))
+		return ..()
+	if(wearer.get_item_by_slot(slot_flags) == src && stat != DEAD)
+		to_chat(user, span_userdanger("[src] is latched on too tight! Get help or wait for it to let go!"))
+		return
+	return ..()
+
 /proc/CanHug(mob/living/M)
 	if(!istype(M))
 		return FALSE
@@ -268,6 +296,7 @@
 	name = "Lamarr"
 	desc = "The Research Director's pet, a domesticated and debeaked xenomorph facehugger. Friendly, but may still try to couple with your head."
 	sterile = TRUE
+	slowdown = 1.5 //lamarr is too fat after being fed in captivity to effectively slow people down or something
 
 /obj/item/clothing/mask/facehugger/dead
 	icon_state = "facehugger_dead"
@@ -287,6 +316,7 @@
 	real = FALSE
 	sterile = TRUE
 	tint = 3 //Makes it feel more authentic when it latches on
+	slowdown = 0
 
 /obj/item/clothing/mask/facehugger/toy/Die()
 	return
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon.dm
index 539dfd64ce3..98948e6a9af 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/carbon.dm
@@ -228,13 +228,6 @@
 	. = ..()
 	loc.handle_fall(src)//it's loc so it doesn't call the mob's handle_fall which does nothing
 
-/mob/living/carbon/is_muzzled()
-	for (var/obj/item/clothing/clothing in get_equipped_items())
-		if(clothing.clothing_flags & BLOCKS_SPEECH)
-			return TRUE
-	return FALSE
-
-
 /mob/living/carbon/resist_buckle()
 	if(!HAS_TRAIT(src, TRAIT_RESTRAINED))
 		buckled.user_unbuckle_mob(src, src)
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/emote.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/emote.dm
index 85662220392..00699196ae9 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/emote.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/emote.dm
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 	key = "clap"
 	key_third_person = "claps"
 	message = "claps."
-	muzzle_ignore = TRUE
 	hands_use_check = TRUE
 	emote_type = EMOTE_AUDIBLE | EMOTE_VISIBLE
 	audio_cooldown = 5 SECONDS
@@ -185,7 +184,6 @@
 	message_param = "snaps their fingers at %t."
 	emote_type = EMOTE_AUDIBLE | EMOTE_VISIBLE
 	hands_use_check = TRUE
-	muzzle_ignore = TRUE
 
 /datum/emote/living/carbon/snap/get_sound(mob/living/user)
 	if(ishuman(user))
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/living_defense.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/living_defense.dm
index 3ee43801a76..5a5995e2072 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/living_defense.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/living_defense.dm
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@
 
 	if(!user.get_bodypart(BODY_ZONE_HEAD))
 		return FALSE
-	if(user.is_muzzled() || user.is_mouth_covered(ITEM_SLOT_MASK))
+	if(user.is_mouth_covered(ITEM_SLOT_MASK))
 		to_chat(user, span_warning("You can't bite with your mouth covered!"))
 		return FALSE
 
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/mob.dm b/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
index 3b02567d1c9..6ec820bc469 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/mob.dm
@@ -805,10 +805,6 @@
 	set category = null
 	return
 
-///Is the mob muzzled (default false)
-/mob/proc/is_muzzled()
-	return FALSE
-
 /// Adds this list to the output to the stat browser
 /mob/proc/get_status_tab_items()
 	. = list("") //we want to offset unique stuff from standard stuff
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/mob_say.dm b/code/modules/mob/mob_say.dm
index 568aee66902..6b8c8f9aa6b 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/mob_say.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/mob_say.dm
@@ -106,9 +106,6 @@
 	if(!allow_mimes && HAS_MIND_TRAIT(src, TRAIT_MIMING))
 		return FALSE
 
-	if(is_muzzled())
-		return FALSE
-
 	return ..()
 
 ///Speak as a dead person (ghost etc)
diff --git a/tgstation.dme b/tgstation.dme
index f65ae96a779..4f6c96dd3d0 100644
--- a/tgstation.dme
+++ b/tgstation.dme
@@ -1473,6 +1473,7 @@
 #include "code\datums\elements\move_force_on_death.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\movement_turf_changer.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\movetype_handler.dm"
+#include "code\datums\elements\muffles_speech.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\nerfed_pulling.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\noisy_movement.dm"
 #include "code\datums\elements\noticable_organ.dm"