That's the reason we see tiers instead of levels now. Its an official admission that they have no intention to fix matchmaking. It's not happening. As for the experience of being an antag, still mostly joyless for me.
I don't think it's the system as much as it's the players at this point. So many times I make it obvious that have no intention of fighting, I'm just here to lower my mmr, get affinity or help you get good time. But, there are always pencil dicks who don't need the aleph trying to flex. Or people straight killing me while I'm clearly trying to give them aleph for the objective. Yeah you're real tough mercing a vegitable for no reward.
I used to be okay with there being no point to competitive play because I could still get what I need and meet cool ppl. I used to have fun helping out and making mischief now I don't even bother spawning. I can't get the thrill of competition, I can't get the joy of forging unlikely alliances. There's just no draw, it's just, queue up if you wanna have a bad time.