See the further discussion of mistake in self-defense below. D shoots at V with a gun, and misses him entirely. D, not a particularly capable fistfighter, swings his fist at V's stomach, intending to immobilize V. V unexpectedly suffers a ruptured spleen, and dies. D will not be deemed to have used deadly force, since the force was neither intended nor likely to cause death or serious bodily harm. D's verbal threat to use deadly force does not itself constitute use of deadly force, provided that D does not intend to carry out the threat .
Most courts also allow it to protect against kidnapping and forcible rape .
D goes to V's house and shoots V. D may not claim self-defense, because V's threat was not for imminent force. D hits V in the face with his other hand, injuring him. D cannot claim self-defense, because he precipitated the conflict by brandishing the knife. D attacks V with his fists. V defends by knocking D down, then starting to smash D's head against the wall, so that D is in danger of being killed or badly hurt.