diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua
index 5d2b86517..5f7b07a36 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/api.lua
@@ -224,12 +224,12 @@ function mob_class:mob_activate(staticdata, def, dtime)
 	self._current_animation = nil
 	self:set_animation("stand")
 
-	if self.riden_by_jock then --- Keep this function before self.on_spawn() is run.
+	if self.riden_by_jock then --- Keep this function before self:on_spawn()
 		self.object:remove()
 		return
 	end
 
-	if self.on_spawn and not self.on_spawn_run and self.on_spawn(self) then self.on_spawn_run = true end
+	if self.on_spawn and not self.on_spawn_run and self:on_spawn() then self.on_spawn_run = true end
 
 	if not self.wears_armor and self.armor_list then self.armor_list = nil end
 
diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/combat.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/combat.lua
index 7b22e5aaf..54e45b71b 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/combat.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/combat.lua
@@ -401,10 +401,7 @@ end
 -- dogshoot attack switch and counter function
 function mob_class:dogswitch(dtime)
 	-- switch mode not activated
-	if not self.dogshoot_switch
-	or not dtime then
-		return 0
-	end
+	if not self.dogshoot_switch or not dtime then return 0 end
 
 	self.dogshoot_count = self.dogshoot_count + dtime
 
@@ -604,8 +601,7 @@ function mob_class:on_punch(hitter, tflp, tool_capabilities, dir)
 			end
 		end
 		-- knock back effect (only on full punch)
-		if self.knock_back
-		and tflp >= punch_interval then
+		if self.knock_back and tflp >= punch_interval then
 			-- direction error check
 			dir = dir or vector_zero()
 
@@ -645,7 +641,7 @@ function mob_class:on_punch(hitter, tflp, tool_capabilities, dir)
 				kb = kb + luaentity._knockback * 0.25
 			end
 			self._kb_turn = true
-			self._turn_to=self.object:get_yaw()-1.57
+			self:turn_by(HALFPI, .1) -- knockback turn
 			self.frame_speed_multiplier=2.3
 			if self.animation.run_end then
 				self:set_animation("run")
@@ -770,7 +766,7 @@ local function clear_aggro(self)
 	self.path.way = nil
 end
 
-function mob_class:do_states_attack (dtime)
+function mob_class:do_states_attack(dtime)
 	self.timer = self.timer + dtime
 	if self.timer > 100 then self.timer = 1 end
 
@@ -813,7 +809,7 @@ function mob_class:do_states_attack (dtime)
 
 	if self.attack_type == "explode" then
 		if target_line_of_sight then
-			self:turn_in_direction(p.x - s.x, p.z - s.z, 1, dtime)
+			self:turn_in_direction(p.x - s.x, p.z - s.z, 1)
 		end
 
 		local node_break_radius = self.explosion_radius or 1
@@ -932,7 +928,7 @@ function mob_class:do_states_attack (dtime)
 			p = vector_copy(p1)
 		end
 
-		self:turn_in_direction(p.x - s.x, p.z - s.z, 1, dtime)
+		self:turn_in_direction(p.x - s.x, p.z - s.z, 1)
 
 		-- move towards enemy if beyond mob reach
 		if dist > self.reach then
@@ -1004,7 +1000,7 @@ function mob_class:do_states_attack (dtime)
 			or (self.attack_type == "dogshoot" and (dist > self.reach or dist < self.avoid_distance and self.shooter_avoid_enemy) and self:dogswitch() == 0) then
 		local vec = vector_new(p.x - s.x, p.y - s.y - 1, p.z - s.z)
 		local dist = (vec.x*vec.x + vec.y*vec.y + vec.z*vec.z)^0.5
-		self:turn_in_direction(vec.x, vec.z, 1, dtime)
+		self:turn_in_direction(vec.x, vec.z, 1)
 
 		if self.strafes then
 			if not self.strafe_direction then self.strafe_direction = HALFPI end
diff --git a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/physics.lua b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/physics.lua
index df7ee5dc7..d257cda5d 100644
--- a/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/physics.lua
+++ b/mods/ENTITIES/mcl_mobs/physics.lua
@@ -247,17 +247,21 @@ function mob_class:update_roll()
 end
 
 -- Relative turn, primarily for random turning
+-- @param dtime deprecated: ignored now, because of smooth rotations
 function mob_class:turn_by(angle, delay, dtime)
 	return self:set_yaw((self.object:get_yaw() or 0) + angle, delay, dtime)
 end
 -- Turn into a direction (e.g., to the player, or away)
+-- @param dtime deprecated: ignored now, because of smooth rotations
 function mob_class:turn_in_direction(dx, dz, delay, dtime)
 	if abs(dx) == 0 and abs(dz) == 0 then return self.object:get_yaw() + self.rotate end
 	return self:set_yaw(-atan2(dx, dz) - self.rotate, delay, dtime)
 end
 -- set and return valid yaw
-function mob_class:set_yaw(yaw, delay, dtime) -- FIXME: dtime unused
+-- @param dtime deprecated: ignored now, because of smooth rotations
+function mob_class:set_yaw(yaw, delay, dtime)
 	if self.noyaw then return end
+	if self._kb_turn then return yaw end -- knockback in effect
 	if not self.object:get_yaw() or not self.object:get_pos() then return end
 	self.delay = delay or 0
 	self.target_yaw = yaw % TWOPI
@@ -266,10 +270,6 @@ end
 
 -- improved smooth rotation
 function mob_class:check_smooth_rotation(dtime)
-	if self._turn_to then
-		self:set_yaw(self._turn_to, .1)
-		self._turn_to = nil
-	end
 	if not self.target_yaw then return end
 
 	local delay = self.delay