Captain Falcon has no chance of being dropped. They wouldn't put a Samurai Goroh assist trophy without him. I think he and Ness will be unlockable as they were in the original Smash.
Clones: why not have them? It's not like Young Link, Falco, Pichu or Dr. Mario had any wasted potential. Ganondorf should've had a sword, sure. I can understand people wishing characters had different movesets, but why wish away clones just because they are clones? The more the merrier, right? Twenty-five characters with clones, or eighteen with none?
Also, for those who can't stand using the same character as another player in the same fight: clones.
Anyway, I'm praying that the tier list isn't so predictable. In Melee we have two fast laser-wielding animals with sharp eyes and stern expressions and a slick, charismatic Japanese guy with a legendary sword. In Smash we had two cute things and a thirteen-year-old. My complaint with Melee's tiers has nothing to do with Ness's downgrade (he is underrated, still ;D), but Fox, Falco and Marth drones are just not cool. Pikachu and Kirby drones, though... those were the days. I hope the Brawl characters are more balanced. Except Pichu, whose job is to be worst, and I don't think Bowser's incredible sluggishness can be compensated.