So, what is the hold up on Beastmaster?

[Winterfang]

not played BLU in its other iterations in previous FF titles.

I have, that's why I have trouble buying this shtick that it needed to be limited. To take a snippet from the post above yours as an example

BLU as a full job would almost have to be just another caster -- you get X spell at Y level, like BLM or SMN or RDM, etc.

Change the first spell WoL learns from a pitiful Water Cannon to Final Fantasy X's Lancet, IE using this would have you obtain the spell. One and done, don't need to see the spell in use like in Final Fantasy X. Absolutely no need to get rid of going out and hunt spells.