What Blewdew say, Ruthless isn't high risk at all. Taking risks with P&G is totally a choice, you're not in any way obligated to do it. I rarely use P&G outside punishes and hit confirms. Ruthless/Vicous is actually safer than Lackey in regards to Ferra Toss being ridiculously plus--and you have the option of ending most any normal/string with it.
You can essentially just keep taking another turn indefinitely until your opponent starts to backdash/armor/poke, and if you read they're going to do it then you can often punish with an NJP or something.
I don't see how any variation in the game is technically safer than Ruthless/Vicious.