I would like all jug pets to just native match our i-level without the need for Beast Affinity, but I think SE does this to keep Beastmaster held back, until other jobs are more appropriately buffed (like R15 weapons and such). If Beastmaster is too powerful early in a content's life cycle, then players will abuse it.

I hate this personally, as I want to use different pets ever since i-level was introduced 5-6 years ago. Also, every pet should have have 1 buff for the master. Otherwise, what's the point? :/