I can't believe buying the $2 ninja buddy DLC gave me so much advantage when most of them are terrible with their 1 ability (usually early and easy to access, whereas ninja is a tough late game dungeon unlock). The free monsters/humans are generally terrible and have 1 less SP bar for abilities.
in short, ninja buddy has fuma shuriken, which is overpowered (earlier than level 7 main abilities aren't that good compared to a ranged knockback attack with big damage, able to be done twice in a row with 5 sp bars) and stacks with the beastmaster's party buffs/heals, especially haste from incite. Unlike the dark knight, you're not going to suffer terribly from being attacked, trapped or slowed.
I also kept slowing bahamut whenever he'd charge to get more time to react (I also read that abilities can bypass blind/confuse and blind may stop charging). Poison is as strong as an attack with these damage sponges as well.
There is an infinite dungeon where I feel insatiable hunger needs the ninja as I got cool king's talons on the first floor but barely survived.