I can agree with that, testing actually showed the best pattern and the most useful for all shooting situations was Imp/Cyl.
The Center pattern holds enough density that if your aim is centred then you can still get a killing pattern out past 40 yards.

As to shot size that's really where TSS really shines, but as long as the shit is heavy enough for sufficient penetration then the pattern has a bigger effect on killing power then the penetration.

That's why the #1 shot size in Europe for driven roe deer is actually #2 shot and not BB's or #4 buck or anything like that.

During one of my tangent quests for a buck and ball shotgun I bought a cheap coach gun with Imo/Cyl barrels, it was actually originally Mod and Full but the original owner opened them up for western action shoots.
But anyway I put a scope on it and it was quite deadly with round ball, not impressive but I've since learned a lot about loading RB.
But I went away on a big driven fox shoot, #2 were supposed to be the biggest shot allowed but as far as I could tell 42gm BB's were all anyone was using except me. I decided to bring 36gm #3 for a denser pattern to try and get a bit more range.
Turns out every fox I shot was at the 50-60 yard mark, that scope let me lead perfectly and put the centre of the pattern at the head/neck/front chest area. I ain't going to say they were DRT, some took 3 shots at that range to finish off but what matters is when hit they stopped running and were hurt bad.
I was really surprised but that experience changed my views on chokes and shot size and really made me think patterns kill not shot.