I think Legendary is just a matter of pride in here since Here/Legendary gives you almost the same benefits on the forum.
The merit system is problematic for newbies who are struggling to get 1 merit and be able to post images, and here I am not talking about new Newbies, but about the ones that have 2-300 activity and they are still newbies. Not many users gives merit points to newbies just because they are newbies and they know you'll make him/her Jr.Member if you'll give 1 merit.
As for the calculator, is a good tool but for the old system (without merit requirement), with the current one the tool is just for curiosity as you'll get merit points much more harder than the activity required between the ranks time-frame.
To be newbie with 300 activity you have to be really dedicated to shitposting.
I don't agree that high ranked members avoid giving merit to newbies. Being relatively new member here I spent a lot of time in newbie&help subforum and I saw many newbies getting merit from high rank members after few dozens posts.