With the modern riveting tools, that usually can break the chain. Riveting is pretty easy. The only thing I do outside of the motion pro tool is a high speed grinder to grind off the squashed pins on a link to make it easier to get the chain off.
I will say this about clips. I used them for years on the old monster. The only time I ever had a problem was when the rear wheel wasnt aligned correctly. Even then I never spit the chain, just saw that the clip was missing. If it was good enough for that stump puller, it should be good for just about anything. However, since most chains come with a rivet link, and you need to ask or pay extra for a clip, it's easier to do the rivet.
I change my chain and sprockets when necessary. The rear sprocket, being aluminum, gets changed with the chain. The front sprocket, being steel, only gets changed if the teeth show wear or curling.
Kevin