Yes, in all games there is base damage for puch which depends on strength. i think that strength should add some base damage to attacks + % in damage like now. That way you would also fix the problem of people selling their only weapons.
Not big damage, for example 1-1 for 10 strength. so 40 strength would be 4-4.
Not big difference in later stages when weapons will do hundreds of damage, and people would play a little easier on the begining. Just an idea.