Tellers don't cost 60 muni, grens already beat cons at max range without lmgs - lmgs only make the match up easier for the grens. P4 is already an extremely good tank and easy to get before 85s even with teching t2.
A single zis won't hold off a pz4 with the new engine damage mechanics, neither will blowing all your muni buttoning it. Soviet had a ton of breathing room during this current patch because it was easy to keep the p4 in check with the constant threat of engine damage till the 85s hit. That's a big reason people stalled for tiger. Plus tiger could sit in front of zis Fire and kill the guns. Pz4 couldn't risk flanking... Why? Again, easily engine damaged.
The engine damage mechanic change is going to be hugely impactful in so many ways. It's a massive buff to mediums. Trying to hold off for only call in tanks will be super risky. Not saying it can't be done, it will be done, but not as easily as in the current patch.
I meant 50 my bad. Anyway, if you button the p4, your at gun can get of 2 or 3 shots, bye bye p4 or it will be restricted to repair and off the field for almost 2 minutes. If it hits a mine, same thing, you will get off a few shots, maybe even kill it.
Yes grens win at long range when unvetted, but if the soviets close in, they will win, if I face a dp guard squad, I will lose, If I face a tokorov squad I will lose when they close in, if they have flamers, my squad better run. Thus get lmgs to secure advantage at any distance, unless it is extremely close range were shocks will rape you. Now I know one doctrine that will grant you great advantages here CAS
I myself never dare to skip t2 anymore, I have had such huge disasters with doing that vs soviets.
BTW, I have tried some strategies that surround 3-4 pumas vs the t34-85 meta. It works pretty well. With the new at nade nerfs, it can be even more potent.