With this new function, i think that only member that are already member rank or higher before today get Merit point because it's free one time Merit point. and the other with lower rank will never get enough Merit point to up level.
I see your point, but from Novice to Jr Member, your Merit requirement is only 10 which is too easy to achieve if you're not a shitposter.But to those who are a week or less to rank up, the timing is bad.
Me for example, I'm 5 days short of becoming a full member,
I got the default 10 merit because of my rank, now I need 90 more to rank up, that's the rock bottom.
Well, I'm confident with my activities.
Ranking up won't take that long.
I think only way to up Full member rank for you now is that buying Merit points
If not, may be next year 2019 you will have enough 100 Merit points