Should i even bother with with getting a higher compression ratio?

Build as high a compression ratio you can for the level of tuning you are capable of.
I kind of agree if pistons were gonna be purchased no matter what then I agree 100%. But let's say 9.5:1 Is what he's capable of tuning to, don't see a point of buying new pistons and balancing for a half point or even maybe a full + point of cr. I could see maybe if taking it apart anyways a clean up milling of the deck and heads for a good surface plus a small cr bump.