Well, there's a trick to that question...

Yes, the plug-ins or FX programs will add elements you're looking for.
BUT - they can't do all the corrections and extensive compositing of multiple images/renders/passes that Photoshop can.

Yes, this is adding up to a LOT of money. The Trapcode plugin works with After Effects - which is $1,000. Adobe has dropped the $600 version from their lineup (there used to be 2 flavors - Standard and Professional. Many people got the Standard version so they could use plugins like that, as well as have the basic motion graphics and compositing capabilities.

I'd still get Photoshop as a base application - you can find FX plugins for Photoshop as well - and there IS a $99 version of Particle Illlusions for your smoke and flame FX.
Good luck-
-Lew ;-)