Originally they granted the entire team at least 3 yellow buffs for 2 turns at the start and inflicted at least 2 negative buffs for 2 turns at the start on enemies..... then each turn, they'd repeat more yellow buffs for 2 turns, more silver negative buffs for 2 turns... (but the first set of buffs still had 1 turn left).... so essentially, unless you removed them a team could easily have each and every yellow buff available on the entire team for the entire battle and the enemy could have each available silver debuff on them the entire battle... then.. they nerfed them. Which was good.

Just my opinion, but I think they function well as they currently are.... they won't sway a battle in themselves like they originally did, but they do offer a boost/debuff which can help.