Very few BPs are soakers.. Out of a collection of over 30, I only had one that regularly soaked himself in his water bowl. So this not a valid argument. It's a ball, not a blood. It's just a habitual thing for them.

Soaking is not necessary and CAN lead to bad sheds. Especially if you have particularly hard water.

High humidity the week of a shed is all that's required for a perfect shed.