R devel - Nov 2015 - Understanding r-patched sources and R-devel sources plus tool sync

Is this a patched developed, or patched latest version (e.g., now that 
would be a patched R-3.2.2).

Also, regarding the following:

After downloading the R sources you should also download the recommended 
packages by entering the R source tree and running

     tools/rsync-recommended

Should this be done to "complete" a patched version as well. My
understanding now is that there are updates to "tools" that are not
included in the daily
-devel and/or -patch releases.

Thank you for the clarification!