I generally prefer Clones since you can recur them, bounce them, or flicker them for another go
With Monstrous Rage no longer available, the current form of red aggro favors burn-type effects over pump spells, which is definitely the way I prefer it
It has a +30 weakness to fighting type Pokemon, no resistance type, and a two colorless energy card retreat cost
You can read the whole story here, back from when Wizards initially banned the equipment in Standard, but the short version is that Skullclamp was changed from giving the equipped creature +1/+2 to +1/-1 late in development and slipped through the cracks
That's actually one of the best things that can happen to you. Thumb image credit: Michael D
Meanwhile, its "Topaz Bolt" attack can deal a whopping 300 damage when properly set up, allowing Pikachu ex to take down even the bulkiest Pokmon in a single hit