I hope it will help reduce spam a little bit, but unfortunately for account farmers, 1 merit is not a big deal they always can buy it.
You are right, they will easily do it. I think this rule will be very wise if the person who can give merit is a moderator.
Even if they can buy, the price will be higher now since Theymos introduced this system (if there is a merit trading going on), and it would take them a lot if they have 20++ accounts. You will be surprised of how mmany accounts a people can have and maintain.
The word is official now.
Merit ruins my life !