Shooting the smoke shells requires far more micro and time. The thing about ptac is its an wz panic escape. It is undeniably better as an escape ability. Which, when combined with high armour values and blitz makes it even more potent.
But seeing as you would like an offensive ability, something discussed last time ptac was talked about was the smoke shooting ahead of the tank instead of on the tank. Naturally you would support this entirely because then it could be used offensively and would thus be better right?
Okay let me put it this way.
Panzer tactician is a 0 skill ability with moderate reward.
Smoke shell is a moderate skill ability that can have a super high reward.
Panzer tactician is fine since it only blocks fire down a certain direction, doing nothing against attack ground, chases and flanks, while it’s also doctrinal. It shouldn’t be nerfed because of that ebcause the M4 sherman’s smoke cannisters are very much different and funciton to give a fragile unit more durability.