The Food Chain Chart

I've never really been clear on this, but I've heard the blue mage spells deal more damage if they come from a monster that would intimidate it's target. Ex. Sprout Smack from a sapling would deal higher damage than normal if used on Tiger, Because Beasts are week to Plaintoids. I've ask other beastmasters in game, and our general consensus was that the only noticeable effect the strength's and weakness of mob types seems to be the chance of intimidation. I know SE added a merit ability to share the pet's affinity with a party, but most of the beastmasters I've played with found feral howl and beast affinity more important. Assuming intimidation is all beasts get out of this system, I'd kind of like to see it get some perks such as a notable damage modifier similar to that of piericing, blunt, slashing vs certain mobs.

This would GREATLY promote variety in the types of jug pets bst use in parties. I think most of us only carry 1-2 types of jugs. I know I prefer Lulush for damage and healing, And Yuly for TH and soloing, and frankly, it gets pretty boring. The others just don't seem worth lugging around. I'd like to use them but for lack of the pet's abilities compared to Lulush and Yuly, there just isn't a need.

It would also breathe new life into the long lost art of beastmaster soloing, as the fights would go by quicker with type vs type damage mods, be it in the new GoV camps, or in abysses if SE should decide to let us charm there.

I assume you are talking about killer instinct. It's does a heck of a lot more than that just up intimidation rate. It boosts damage by 15% and reduces damage taken by 15% along with it's +15 killer effect. Then if you have AF3 body +1 or +2 you get even bigger damage and reduced damage because of it's +15 killer effect

While pets only have normal affinity effects, Killer Instinct functions as any other circle ability. It provides +15% damage done and -15% damage taken if the affinity is correct.

I have 5/5 merits in Killer Instinct because it seemed like the least disappointing option other than Beast Affinity. It's still disappointing due to the duration and recast, mind you, but not AS disappointing as Feral Howl.

Wow! I've never noticed that. Is it only with the Killer Instinct ability? Even FFXIwiki doesn't mention any damage/defense gained by the pet itself when fighting a monster it's strong against. It only notes the intimidation effect under the 'Beast Strength Chart' section.

Yes it's only under the killer instinct ability that you and your party get the effect. I just wish it lasted a little longer.