I would love a correct answer so I don't waste time with a phone that wont give me hotspot on my unlimited data plan, I know the phone will come with 4.4 installed, and possibly never even have had 4.2 on it to start with.. so we are looking for the same info, CAN 4.4 BE ROOTED ON NON DEV MOTO X?
(sorry, this might be the long answer, but hopefully it will help you understand what I'm saying and why..)
SlapMyMoto can be used to root, and MotoWpNoMo can be used to disable write protection *IF* your phone is on 4.4 or lower.
MotoWpNoMo (which disables write protection) is needed because 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.
If you are on 4.4. and use SlapMyMoto/MotoWpNoMo, but later take the OTA to 4.4.2, you might keep root but Write Protection will be re-enabled with no way to disable it.
Due to fixes and changes in 4.4.2, the Root and Disable Write Protection processes that worked on 4.4 and lower, no longer work on 4.4.2. And don't expect anything for 4.4.2 for a while, if ever. So if the phone you buy comes with 4.4.2 pre-installed, and you have a locked bootloader you're stuck!!
This is not an issue if you have an unlocked bootloader. You can still unlock your bootloader (which disables write protection), and root (by just using a custom recovery and flashing SuperSU) no matter what rom is on your phone.
The option of buying the Bootloader Unlock Code for Non-Dev Verizon X from the Chinese site or middleman appears to have dried up. (no contact from the seller in a few days, and rumors he got caught/fired/worse)
If you really need ROOT, Write Protection Disabled, the ability to tether on an unlimited data plan, then you really should consider getting the Dev Edition X for Verizon, as you can unlock its bootloader (without voiding warranty), root it (no matter what rom is on the phone), and do what you want. Especailly since to keep the unlimited data you'll need to buy the phone at Full Retail (unless you are taking an upgrade on an alternate line to the X, and then moving the X to your line)