Just got an e-mail on the updates for the rules. These won't pertain to you guys since we're doing the playtest which is based off of the rules already set.
1) Characters are not necessarily going to be 20th level, but they could be. Characters are given 190,000 XP to do with as they please as per the original rules. If there character takes XP penalties for lack of favored class levels, or use spells that require XP, they could lose levels.
2) No making their own items, with the exception of wizards making their own scrolls. The items are already made. If you run out of item slot space, too bad. No mixing this with that, even with 1.5 times cost ratio.
3) Book of Exalted Deeds, Draconomicon and Dungeonscape are not approved. Also, Unearthed Arcana, Tome of Battle, the Races books, and the Psionics books are removed. Complete Warrior Hexblade will be used as it is in the book. No Web Enhancements. This includes the dead levels. Fangshield Ranger comes from Champions of Valor, which isn't approved, so removed No using the SRD. No intelligent weapons or weapon familiars. No flaws for extra feats. Spells are per day, not that magic point mana system.
4) No Leadership feat. No "buying" hirelings. If you want spells cast on something because you don't have them, they are CL x 10(level) gp.
5) No death threshold. Just the regular -1 to -9.
6) Death effects are save or die.
Other revisions will come too. Each time with the original rules on them and "Use these" underneath.