Stocks:
2 Stocks is bad and should definitely be stopped as standard as soon as possible.
I could see 3 stocks being a problem for Apex if too many people enter the tournament because it could take way too long, but then I don't get why doubles is played with 3 stock. It makes absolutely zero sense.
Please compare the average used time in a Smash 4 match with all other Smash games.
Smash 64 with 5 stock,
Melee with 4 stock,
Brawl with 3 stock,
Smash4 with 2 stock.
You'll probably see that on average, Smash4 will take the least time by far - since it's only 2 stocks.
Why is it always less and less? It's mostly because of time constraints, and some say it's more entertaining for viewers...
Why is more stocks good? Because it shows more consistent results, making it better for better players which means it's good for competition, because the better one wins more often. If you want random results you shouldn't play competitively.
Also, many Smash4 matches take like 1-3 minutes if they're played with 2 stocks, which is really... really short. You take away the playtime from the players, which it's all about when playing a game.
I never understood any 1 stock / 2 stock hype, even in Brawl. If I enjoyed matches it was much more interesting watching 3 stocks, if I didn't enjoy matches, it wasn't more enjoyable if it's less. There is definitely lost a lot if you can only play against someone for such a short time now.
Why aren't the other games' stock count toned down as well if it's so much more enjoyable?
Stage-clause:
How does that make sense? Why can't you counterpick the same stage if you didn't even win on it? It really makes the stage selection miniscule. Counterpick stages are counterpicks for a reason. They aren't as neutral as the starters, but still "useable".
Someone could ban all the most neutral stages and even if you didn't win on your counterpick you STILL have to go to some other stage you don't even want to choose!? What the hell?