Generation 3 in-game Pokemon challenges, such as Emerald Battle Tower streaks or speedruns, should not have any restrictions on stat spreads or natures. This means even if a spread can only be obtained using save editing software, the spread should be legal, just as it has been in competitive Pokemon for over 25 years. Banning "illegal" spreads implies two things that I believe are false:

1) The Pokemon were never intended to have those spreads.
- In reality, spread limitations are caused by hardware (RNG) constraints. The game's RNG was coded to maximize randomness, but there are some gaps (missing spreads).

2) It is reasonable for players to obtain the spreads without save editing software.
- In reality, obtaining desired spreads legally takes hours -- sometimes dozens of them -- of mostly mindless grinding. It can be sped up through skillful RNG manipulation, but this is not what competitive Pokemon should be about.

Allowing "illegal" spreads puts console runners at a disadvantage, which some people might see as an unfair cost. However, successful console runs are considered more prestigious, and for good reason -- they already have disadvantages such as lack of a speedup feature, and they are less likely to be cheated. They can and should be preserved through other designations such as separate leaderboards.

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This could have been a really long paste. It's something I've grappled with for years. But I don't believe it needs to be. I believe if you use common sense and critical thinking, you will come to the same conclusion. I'm open to any debates on the topic, though!