I think ignoring the timeline of development, the throughline of "BOTW is really successful so Sakurai will add a supporting character from it" seems to fall in line with false ideas of what's a "sure thing" like Chrom or Zoroark.
We still got Robin and Lucina, so I don't know why you're using Chrom and Awakening as an example.
Regardless, you're only looking at the this topic from the perspective that benefits your argument. You say that the timeline of development suggests the entire roster was probably decided before the end of 2016, but we don't really know
anything about how this game is being created, do we? Saying that it's too late for a Champion to get in is a scenario you created without any real context to go with aside from, "Well, that's how the other games were handled".
However, I'll be fair and acknowledge that my argument revolves around personal opinions as well. I don't really have a leg to stand on either.
What is it with people and comparing characters that aren't compatible.
It seems every time someone brings up an issue about a character, the immediate response is to look up the roster of Super Smash Bros and scan their eyeballs across every row until they find a character where they can go "Well, what about this guy?!" But, they never seem to acknowledge the differing criterias of the characters.
You can't just say "Well, we had one of the three starter Pokemon so we can have one of the four champions of the ballad." Analogies require more stable logic than that. You can't just say "If you plant a seed a tree will grow, therefore if you plant a Lego, a Lego tree will grow!"
The seed and the lego brick are not the same is what I'm getting at.
Y'know, you keep criticizing people using this logic, but I've yet to have seen you provide an explanation as to
why the starter Pokémon and Champions are so different.
I genuinely want to know what I'm missing, so I'm all ears.
I'd rather have Urbosa and have the Sma5h spear wielder being Bandana Waddle Dee
Since Smash has a glaring lack of spear fighters and an abundance of sword fighters, I'd rather get both Mipha and Bandana Dee. Admittingly, Urbosa and her sword doesn't sound nearly as exciting to me as any of the other three Champions.
I know that's not a popular opinion. That's just how I feel personally. Although I'd gladly take Urbosa over nothing at all.