Winds of Chaos

Hi there,
I'm pretty new to 4e so please don't take offence at my ignorance.
I'm wondering how to defend against spells in this system?
I'm used to Dnd where saving throws do the trick (or can do it at least) but is it the same here? As a non-spell user, do you use your Dodge skill to avoid magic missiles? AOE spells? Can you parry them with a shield? Or are you just left hanging while the opposing wizard does his thing?

Best regards

I read it as you are just left hanging. Magic is risky to use but very powerful.

Yes, if the spell goes off, you eat it. But that doesn't mean you are defenseless. Touch based spells not only require the caster to touch you, but put themselves within convenient stabbing range. Also, the really scary spells are generally going to require a round or two of channelling to cast. The caster can be interrupted by anything significantly distracting and have to make a Cool test, at a penalty of at least -20, to keep the channelling going and not loose the power they have been gathering.

Gunshot wounds tend to be very distracting.

OK, great! Thank you so much