Rules Update: Mage Promotional Skill

I'm going to say yes.

does the target(s) of the counterspell NEED to be hit with a spell packet, or if its within arms length is it just assumed / etc?

The mage may target the caster of the arcane effect, or its target, within 5 seconds of the spell being cast - the Counterspell automatically hits, provided it is within range (the distance the caster can throw a spell packet)

As long as your target is in range, you hit.

This may be a nitpick and if it is please disregard but when it says within the range of a spell packet thrown, is it in relation to a spell packet thrown accurately or simply thrown for distances sake, as the two ranges are vastly different and can mean the difference between this ability being in range vs out of range... again I could just be nitpicking.

And for some the distances are longer than for others

(and no 'you've been talking to my wife/girlfriend' comments from the peanut gallery plz lol)

Pure distance... I knew it was written somewhere, but took me a while to find it... under battle casting perfect aim.  Counterspell's range would work in the same manner.

For the range, the caster must be capable to have thrown the spell packet the distance for this to work.  The caster may be asked to throw a packet as far as the target if the range is questionable, but it does not need to be accurate.