the argument example i have provided in the ad hominem text i wrote, is a good example of a steel-man argument, the steel man argument is the opposite of a straw-man argument, which is to represent the opponents arguments in a way that is weak and easily defeated, avoid doing this and instead represent their argument in the strongest and clearly defined way possible and then you argue against that, it doesnt matter if the opponent argues that it is not what he/she said, because it will prove that the opponent doesnt really understand what he/she argues for, you could basically argue for your opponents arguments and argue against that, but for this to work you have to understand your enemies arguments very well;

the steel-man ad hominem: the weakest type of ad hominem arguments are insults towards a persons looks or other superficial qualities, i did not use that, instead, i spoke about pointing out a persons hypocrisy of practice, which i believe is the strongest type of ad hominem, and while it is still wrong and doesnt address the argument, it can reveal a weakpoint, the weakpoint isnt real but it will look like its real because it uses skepticism towards what is new rather than being prejudiced, arguing with steel-men can make you fool-proof and also show to yourself what YOU truly believe in and what you dont believe in;

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

― Sun Tzu, The Art of War