PTRS cons lose molotovs, which makes their almost nonexistent AI even worse. They can't button which means they're not likely to kill anything above a Puma and generally less useful than Guards. Not allowing them to upgrade to 7 models means they get wiped easy in late game, especially because they usually have to leave cover to use grenades. Other than camo and AT nades, they're a downgrade. A Guard plus regular con is better. They would need their molotov back and either be able to upgrade to 7 models or button like Guards do in order to be viable.
The stealth ability also slows rotation speed. I don't know if this is intended, but it usually means that an SU 85 will not shoot and has to leave cover to rotate fast enough to hit a target. Usually by that time, it is flanked and will be lost. It is a straight downgrade from the camo that the JP4 gets.
You’re wrong, tank hunter conscripts are some of the best ones you’ll find if you use them properly. I would be jumping up for joy if the ptrs package was a stock upgrade.
The way to play them is to use them as what they are, ambush predators.
First you set up the trap, spam mines across a single diagonally stripped line (so as not to chain trigger but still cover the whole width.
Then you camo with hold fire.
You set a bait, either a sniper or a retreating low health squad.
When the light vehicle goes after it, you wait until it gets stunned, then you sprint at it and grenade assault it.
The only issue with the commander is that it relies on stock units for the late game, which cannot do the job, which is why I’m asking for the T34/85 to replace the ML20 to finally make this doctrine viable.