I think (in 1v1 at least) it's less "Soviets HAVE to get 152 to try to stop Elefant" than "there is no reason NOT to go 152, except potentially having to deal with an Elefant."
ISU-152 vs Ele, 152 loses as already discussed before. But the problem is that the 152 is good vs everything and with decent support it's over for the germans. While the Ele can only counter tanks and that's all, soviet snipers, cons, guards, mines and atgs are still out there and ele can't do shit.
Unless you are on Minsk or Langreskaya where there aren't many shoot and LOS blockers. If someone gets one it will be a ISU-152 to rape the germans in 1v1s, not an Ele to counter russian armor.
Ele's only "answer unit" to the 152 as a sane german player would never go for an Ele in 1v1 if you don't have some sort of special tactic or crazy B.O. Otherwise if there is a 152 in 1v1s on an open map spam pumas like cruzz or throw in the towel if you don't have Ele.
My suggestions
- I think the insta-squad wipe shouldn't be allowed for the 152, it must be stopped.
- Reduce the ranges of both tanks to 75-80 from 100.
- Increase their turn time and reduce the back armor a bit for better flanking options.