I'm new here. What's all about this merit count? How is it earned? I'm assuming it's linked to the quality/usefulness of your posts/replies? Their originality maybe? What are usually the subjects you'd get the more merit for posting about?
Anyone may give achievements to other people who are deemed worthy, but the limits of eligibility may vary according to each person's point of view. If you want to get achievements to move up in ranking then what you need to pay attention to is the quality of your posts. The easiest way to get achievements is to have good quality and interesting posts so that other people will consider it appropriate to give achievements. Informative writing will usually attract the attention of other people, but the writing must be original with your thoughts.
Your active pattern in the forum is also an assessment because the more active you are in discussions using more constructive language, the easier it will be for you to get achievements. Know your skills and develop them in the forum, then I'm sure you will gain the trust of other people, after that achievements will definitely flow slowly as a form of support for you to move up in rank.