Can't get smooth 2D platformer movement and knockback

Unity Engine
1

Over the course of development i have changed Player and Enemy movement and knockback various times but none have really stuck with me. All of the ways i have tried have been clunky in one way or another.

Here is my current enemy movement:

// If target is to the left
            if(target.transform.position.x < transform.position.x){

                if(body.velocity.x >= -0.3 && body.velocity.x <= 0.3){
                    // speed boost
                    body.AddForce(-transform.right * speedBoost, ForceMode2D.Impulse);
                }


                body.AddForce(-transform.right * speed);
                movingLeft = true;
            }
            else{

                if(body.velocity.x >= -0.3 && body.velocity.x <= 0.3){
                    // speed boost
                    body.AddForce(transform.right * speedBoost, ForceMode2D.Impulse);
                }
                body.AddForce(transform.right * speed);
                movingLeft = false;
            }
        }


        Vector3 clampVel = body.velocity;
        clampVel.x = Mathf.Clamp(clampVel.x, -maxXSpeed, maxXSpeed);

        body.velocity = clampVel;

and knockback:

public void knockback(Vector3 position, float force){

        body.velocity = Vector2.zero;
        body.angularVelocity = 0f;

        var dir = transform.position - position;
          
        body.AddForce(dir * force, ForceMode2D.Impulse);
    }

This actually works pretty well, however since i am clamping x velocity, knock backs on the x plane are all the same force past a certain point, whilst knockbacks on the y plane are much higher.

Player movement:

float moveX = Input.GetAxis ("Horizontal");

        if(canMove == true){
            body.velocity = new Vector2((moveX * speed) + body.velocity.x, body.velocity.y);
        }

        Vector3 clampVel = body.velocity;
        clampVel.x = Mathf.Clamp(clampVel.x, -maxXValue, maxXValue);

        body.velocity = clampVel;

I want Terraria style knockback and smooth movement. Could anybody give me any hints for smooth movement and knockback for both enemies and the Player?

Thanks.

EDIT: It also has to work with other movement, for example abilities that slam the Player into the ground, blink, etc.

2

Bump