Human berserker silver challenge.
He was level 7, at 50 hitpoints, wielding a bear mace (to avoid blinks, sort of) and a fine sword. Lacked 7 xp for next level.
1 square lower - level 6 dragonspawn at full health
2 squares lower - corroding plant
I drank courage juice to get the xp bump/first strike/might, combat prediction showed -2 health on mob and death for me. I went for it anyway. Leveled up! \o/ and died.
If I understand it right, the extra damage from bear mace wasn't counted as 'first strike', so my guy got retaliated against and died before the knockback kicked in. I think the knockback should be counted along with the first strike, and if it isn't (bummer), I shouldn't be able to level up after dying.