If they gave the Germans a tank destroyer we wouldn't even have this thread...The Jagdpanther was a beast in vCoh,why is it missing?
Progression structure between the factions in CoH2 is in a alternating 0.5 "step-up" format, uptil t4 and Vet3, where it equalises.
Balance is very complex in CoH2, much moreso than in vCoH.
For example, Ost has no light tank, nor a dedicated non-doctrinal tank destroyer. Elephant, doctrinally, fills that capacity, as an "ultimate" tank destroyer (although ISU-52 is damn close, frankly, overall). This is compensated for on Ost with its linear tech path where it doest have to "choose", but can instead tech, at reduced cost compared to a building, instead of having to build each one in turn at full cost. (Although evn that is not so simple, since Ost must pay even for a tech level that it does not produce from, albeit at a reduced cost. Whereas Sovs tech investments are all building related, and hence all provide an actual unit output for that investment.)
I think on the relation between tank destroyers, its not so much an issue of SU85, as it is of Stug being a bit shit still. 2xStugs should be in a position to beat an SU85 with about 75% attrition to one Stug, in relatively optimal situations. Unfortunately, due to relative speed, rotation, range, frontal armor, penetration and damage, this simply doesnt happen for Stugs.
People have spoken about comparing units in a "vacuum", but this is a relevant comparison.
Surely you too can see how unit progression between the factions is in a 0.5 stepladder-type format?
I will demonstrate, roughly (im drunk)
M3 is countered by 0.5 step 222 Upgun.
222 Upgun is countered by 0.5 step T70.
Here there is a tier gap, owing to cost and tierage.
T34 counters the entire Ost builds to that point by 0.5.
PIV counters T34 by 0.5.
T34/85 counters PIV by 0.25
SU85 counters PIV by 0.5.
Panther counters SU85 by 0.5.
Here there is a tier and doctrine break from convention. Generally, at T4, both armor options are equivalent, albeit asymmetrically either better armored, or better at AI or AT.
Not a "perfect" system, and my expression of it wasnt perfect either, but I hope I communicated my general view of the rough framework of 0.5, half-step, alternating ladder-like progression nature between the two factions.
This is btw also represented in infantry and advanced support options.