Vyvyan Basterd
Adventurer
Firstly, it seems to be a given that as the DM I will have to know the game rules at every level of complexity to deal with the variously complex pcs.
I don't know most of the content related to PCs when I run 4E. I trust my players to play fairly and when something doesn't seem right to me or a player doesn't quite get what one of their powers does in game, then I step in and read and rule on a particular power.
I mean, say, I'm telling a player to make a Perception check. So the player tells me: "Sorry, dude, my character doesn't have any skills."
How do the monsters work? What rules do _they_ use? "The orc shaman cast a spell at you and gets a 21 vs. your Reflex defense. Does that hit?"
Player: "Well, I only have an AC. Do you want me to save vs. spells instead?!"
I think many people are grounded too tightly into the details. I don't believe they are trying to capture the rules of each edition, instead they are trying to capture the spirit and style of each edition. I believe playtesting feedback will determine whether we end up with Saves or Defenses, but we won't see both in the core (there may be optional or conversion rules that speak to that matter). IMO, those saves won't be "vs. Spells" or "vs. Petrification." We'll either see Fort/Ref/Will Saves or Defenses, or a more general Attribute Save or Defense. Those who are hoping to "save vs. petrification" would probably have to add it as an option to their game at best.
No one else wondering how the game material is going to be produced? Will it be for all 4 editions, because that's the only way this will work.
I'm not trying to single you out Erdrick, but I have seen too many absolutes thrown about in the last week that I fear for the entirety of our hobby. I'm not saying I have the answers. I'm not saying that WotC can achieve what they're trying to achieve. But I'm willing to see what they've come up with. I assume it has to be something relatively novel in approach. Even Monte calls it "crazy." I don't understand the vocal minority negativity in the past week, really. WotC is the only one that stands to lose in this endeavor. I'll amend that. Current 4E players have probably the largest concern in this matter outside WotC. I'm a DDi DM and loss of that coupled with my lack of physical books could cause me an issue if I don't like the new iteration.