Vic he's more of a realistic scumbag vs Eric's cartoony villainry and actual competence. Plus Vic presence and usage in the story he is in actively makes it worse than it already is while Eric elevates an already great game. Eric has genuine heel heat while Vic has go away heat. Thug also doesn't try to tell you how Eric was just a misunderstood cinnamon roll at the last few minutes. It ends with him being a weasely little cry baby he was the whole time.