If you're using a proper type-safe compiled language then most "subtle" breaking changes can't possibly be missed because your code won't compile anymore (assuming you used that API to begin with). You don't need a major version number to call attention to the fact that one parameter of one method changed from a boolean flag to a set of options, anyone who's using that method will find that out pretty quickly.
The main reason semver is done the way it is is so you can do things like have package managers automatically pick the latest compatible version, since incompatibilities are denoted by the major version number. That's why I'd prefer major.breaking.minor.patch, because you can still have the package manager automatically detect compatible versions, but you don't end up in the crazy land of releasing a library at v27.
The main reason semver is done the way it is is so you can do things like have package managers automatically pick the latest compatible version, since incompatibilities are denoted by the major version number. That's why I'd prefer major.breaking.minor.patch, because you can still have the package manager automatically detect compatible versions, but you don't end up in the crazy land of releasing a library at v27.