Its almost the same whichever u killed the beast or put it out of action(at least on the frontline) for a period of time.
The goal is to destroy or dismobilize enemy's operational combined forces for the pincer movements.
So @SoTotallyANarwhal, it's just about the mindset that "soften" the Kingtiger is also quite an achievement! As long as u dont lost the initiative on the battlefield.
You don't need to kill the King Tiger. Shoot it enough times to make it go back and repair itself. There is no need to make ballsy moves sacrificing tanks everywhere just to kill it.
Kill it only when you have the chance: when it hits a mine or when you have disabled its engine in other ways. Then finish it off. Otherwise just keep shooting at it keep it out of the battlefield.
SU-85s and Jacksons are perfect ways to keep it away