Which leaves the Panther exactly one unit to counter: The IS-2.
[...]What Axis players want is a vehicle that fulfills its AT role. Not a vehicle that counters one unit in the vehicle bracket and performs meh versus the others. It´s weakness (Ostheer one) is the lack of good AI. Better than what SU-85, Firely and Jackson have yet those have 60 range and are mobile AT guns.
But they do. Use StuG III against medium and lower armour targets and build a Panther if you need something to help you against heavies or to chase down/ harass the enemy.
Also frontal armour allows Panther to withstand a bit more than any other medium tank. I don't remember exactly but I remember that only Jackson, Comet and Firefly are capable of reliable penetration (pun not intended) and new SU-85?