One side says patch notes are enough, they list the mechanical delta and you can extrapolate the rest. My guide pile has an example right there: the Forever-vs-Classic rundown lists new zones, dungeons, raids, a new race, but flat out says combat and talent changes beyond the new trees existing haven't been detailed yet. So even the notes themselves admit they don't cover the feel, only the shape.
Other side says none of that matters until you've actually played it for a week, because respawn timers, group-finding friction late at night, and how a change interacts with everything else around it never make it into a bullet list. I lean toward the second view, mostly because I've seen changes read as neutral on paper and then turn out to reshuffle an entire evening's routine once people actually touch them.
Where I'd drop that position: if someone can show me a patch note that predicted its own late-game group-finding impact correctly before launch, I'll admit the notes can be enough on their own. Anyone tracking the beta closely enough to check that against what actually happens once the first raids open?
