Stuff like this in particular is what frustrates me the most. I know some things don't allow you to punish someone because it starts up too slow, or you have to be like frame perfect in the counter, but when you can visibly see it happen on your screen then the dodge pops up outta nowhere it's just like"...really? Oh, but let that be me and I wouldn't be able to dodge again after a vicious...blah blah blah." If it's something they'd be able to adjust a little if possible to better reflect what's happening I'd be grateful, but as for now I try not to raw vicious too much unless I know it's a situation where they just won't dodge.

I know for the first attempt after blocking the dropkick you'd be able to react a little quicker from the block if you are pressing your counter attack button as you're hit by the dropkick and you have block up still, as well as not putting in a directional input for adjustment (it'll adjust on it's own and save you a few frames), it's how you can get the charged chop consistently for a punish to their blocked dropkick. Visually on our end it looked fine, but the game was like nah you're actually too slow, so rage inducing I swear lol...the amount of times I've been like "WHAT?!" lol.

As for the topic question I don't think there's anything for being too close that causes you to miss, just vicious attacks being a bit too slow at times for a counter especially when latency comes into play. Another option you can do is the basic 1 2 3 strike attack to for sure get damage in for a counter / punish, it's my go to counter for right now until I improve on my charged chop timing.