This might be a little complicated to explain so I’ll try to do my best. When using the smudge tool sampling on “Current Layer” in a mask layer, the smudge tool smudges the black and white colors. But when smudging multiple mask layers using reference, the smudge doesn’t do anything. This seems like a bug. If not, is there a reason for why it is this way. I have also attached a video demonstrating what I mean.