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This is a very odd thread to me.
People are discussing Item Clause and how it would affect the meta game as if there isn't already a metagame in existence that uses Item Clause.
Can't we just compare and contrast the Smogon-meta to the Nintendo-meta and see which one is better?
Realistically...
It doesn't. After I tried to slide the punches, I tutored my Hitmonchan to Mach Punch, Bullet Punch, and Close Combat (kept Fire Punch for later testing). None of them passed.