340 MP, 4 man squad that's locked at a minimum of 400 MP, 85 fuel specifically intended for pure AI, when it hits the field with upgraded MG34's (Which cost another 100MP and 60 fuel, cannot do the job it was intended to do against an AT squad.
Obers hit the field against shock troops, and cannot drop enough units against shocks who can literally walk up to Obers, under red cover, and decimate them at optimal range with the quick nade, even under green cover.
I've said it repeatedly now: Obers come way too late to do enough good to be efficient to their cost. If they came out in similar timing as Fallschirmjagers, then they can have an opportunity to vet and live up to their reputation as terminators. You'd still have to micro the heck out of them, but that timing will still force them against vetted infantry with a single BAR at the point.
I made 1 ober squad today in a 1v1 and it did like 4600 damage according to postgame stats. Now, postgame stats are kind of wonky, but it's worth noting that that was like half the damage that all 4 of my volks did over the entire game, so it kind of put in work. The frangible smoke is also really useful against shocks and other SMG units trying to close with them. I understand they're not the best elite infantry in the game, but it's also worth noting they're the only nondoc one.
I seriously doubt obers are losing to PTRS penals in an even scenario though. If you're at close range then yeah the penals might win, but ostruppen will probably beat shock troops at max range too. Also red vs. red should not be happening; it's always always worth moving off of red cover even if you lose a little shooting time unless you have a serious DPS advantage at whatever range you're at (like say LMG obers vs. shocks at max or something).