No Foot Rise has NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with TP gain. When you're standing around with no mob and no finishing moves, where are you going to get them?
Please tell me the situation you're describing. It's going to be very, very few where you're surrounded by no mobs. Even then, can't you just build FMs on whatever you're going after? Takes 30 secs max to 5/5...

NFR merits are just for convenience, they aren't usefull at all.