Yes, your "level" goes up but your skill in playing has not really changed. That is sort of what I am talking about. For some people that is fine. For me, I would rather my skill and abilities go up and I don't care about ranking.
I have seen some players who use pips develop some bad habits from the fact that the pips do a certain amount that does not have to do with them. Things like developing bad stroke habits or footwork habits, or receiving serve habits. And the area of receiving serves, their level goes up instantly and dramatically. They do not even really need to know much about what spin is coming at them to return serves. But their level goes up.
I do also know, it does take some skill to use those rubbers. It is not just a natural transition. So I don't want to downplay that. I am just saying that there is a potential for someone who uses pips or anti-spin, to not develop certain skills because all of a sudden they are seemingly playing at a higher level because of what the rubber does to the other person rather than it being so much about them playing at a "higher level" because of what they can now do.
In some of the videos that vietcongOX has posted in a few of the threads and above, you can see that the person who is using the pips is often awkward and clumsy and is winning points because they simply blocked the ball back without having good footwork or good positioning, or bent knees or their weight balanced.
All this being said, a good player is a good player.