[Moto X Q&A] KidJoe:
4.2.2 and 4.4 on the X can be rooted. 4.4.2, the current ROM, can not be.

If you want usable root on the X you need two parts 1. Root Exploit, and 2. An Exploit that allows for disabling Write Protection.

When Write Protection is enabled (the phone's default state with locked bootloader, or the state you are in after you take the 4.4.2 OTA), any changes made to /system, or the like, (including, but not limited to, App installs, file modifications, deletions, renames, etc) are not permanent and are lost at power off/on.

Even if you have root, but lost Write Protection, any apps you've installed that need to write to system can't permanently save their changes (you have to re-do every time your phone powers off/on), and any Root type app, or app that gets installed to /system after WP is enabled will be lost at power off/on.

MotoWpNoMo was used on 4.4. and below to Disable Write Protection. Part of the 4.4.2 update patches the exploit that MotoWpNoMo used, so it wont work on 4.4.2.

SlapMyMoto/RockMyMoto/etc, used on 4.4 and lower to root, involved downgrading the rom to use an exploit in 4.2.2 to gain root and then following a process to upgrade to 4.4. But with 4.4.2 you can't downgrade the rom safely, without risk of bricking your phone, anymore.

So if you want to ensure you can root, consider getting the Dev Edition Moto X if you are on Verizon. Here are a few reasons why...

You can get the bootloader unlock code for free via Moto's web site.(not available for the VZW Retail and Moto Maker editions) - they are unique to each phone.

Getting the bootloader unlock code (and using it) doesn't void the warranty (like it does on the Retail and Moto Maker editions)

Once the bootloader is unlocked you can root & disable write protection, no matter what ROM is on your phone.

You could install custom or 3rd party roms if you wish.

If you get a warranty exchange/replacement you can still get the bootloader unlock code from Moto's web site..

While the Chinese website/middleman is available again to PURCHASE bootloader unlock codes for the Retail and Moto Maker edition, there is no guarantee it will remain available, or that your code will be in the data base he has. (think about if you need a replacement phone for some reason)

Cost is not much different than if you need to purchase your X at full retail (to keep unlimited data plan, or because you are not eligible for "upgrade" pricing).

You don't want to take the chance that the new phone might still ship with either 4.2.2 or 4.4 and can be rooted with the SlapMyMoto process and you can use MotoWpNoMo to disable write protection, if the Chinese web site/middle man disappears again.

Why to not get a Dev Edition...

you don't care about ever rooting

you are eligible for "upgrade" pricing so you want to save money

you are willing to take the chance on buying the unlock code from the Chinese Site/Middle Man while its available again, and are not worried about having to get a bootloader unlock code for a replacement phone in the future.

You want to customize the look of your phone. i.e. The Black Face, Woven White back, and Silver accents (buttons and camera ring) of the Developer Edition just doesn't appeal to you and you don't want to use a case to cover it, and are against dBrand skins and the like.

you don't mind voiding the phone's warranty by using the code purchased via the Chinese Site/Middle Man while it is available again.

You don't mind taking a chance that the new phone might still ship with either 4.2.2 or 4.4 and can be rooted with the SlapMyMoto process and you can use MotoWpNoMo to disable write protection, rather than having to buy a bootloader unlock code from the Chinese website/middleman.

You are OK not running custom or 3rd party or custom roms (unless you PURCHASE the boot loader unlock code from the Chinese Site/Middleman)

---------- Post added at 07:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:25 AM ----------

your OP also mentions wanting to run a Blur-based ROM... "based" implies not stock. As mentioned previously, If you get 4.2.2 or 4.4 on it, you can root and disable write protection. You can retain root while upgrading to 4.4.2, but you lose write protection disable with no way to get it back. But rooting and disabling write protection will not allow you to run 3rd party or custom roms. You can only run stock Moto roms unless you unlock the bootloader. When the bootloader is locked, the phone will refuse any Non-Moto signed components (like recovery, system, etc) which are needed for the 3rd party/custom roms.

I can't speak to how much faster the X might be compared to the S3 with AOSP because my T-Mobile S3 is still stock. My VZW Dev Ed X is as fast as my S4's are (VZW, T-Mo and ATT) if not faster. And it does feel faster than my stock Note 3's (T-Mo and ATT).

I haven't seen CM's PieControls so I don't know what they are, or what is needed for install.

Xposted + Gravity box require root. And if you don't have write protection disabled too, you'd have to reconfigure it each power off/on.

If you buy at a Verizon retail store, they will likely immediately install any available updates (i.e. upgrade the phone to 4.4.2) before letting you leave the store, even if the phone has 4.2.2 out of the box. Several people have posted about this already. And they said they were not given an option. I do not know if they will honor a request to not perform any software updates given before they start to setup the new phone for you.