I think the merit system is going to work out, and I've written this before so I won't write it again.  What I think the forum also needs is some tighter rules in place for campaigns, meaning that in order to run a signature campaign, participants should be required to have X merits and be Sr./Hero/Legendary, no negs from DT members, and probably some other rules too.  That's been discussed, but thus far Theymos has been silent on the matter.