None of my current bikes (5) had come with a spoke protector (aka - "dork disc"). The last bike I bought with a spoke protector was in 1985, paid $300. I removed it when I changed out the cassette.

Not needed if the rear derailleur limit screws are adjusted properly. But, sure, there is some risk of chain diving into spokes. Has never happened to me. Well....as a kid, sure, the chain smashed into the rear spokes; but back then I would stop the bike by jamming my foot between seat tube and rear wheel.

As for valve caps - for schrader they are definitely needed. For presta, not really. But I keep them on, especially for my mtb bike, as some protection against damaged to the valve from rocks.

<shrug>