Hard disagree on the notion that you get to ladder easy, that it all depends on the mons you have and that there is a rich getting richer principle. If any pvp rewards need an upgrade, to be considered worth the effort that goes in.
If you can't hack it, it means you are not good enough, didn't invest enough time in improving your craft. Of course it is easier if you are a littler smarter.
Same goes for guilds. Not like you make those and it is smooth sailing after that. It has a lot to do with good community work. So instead of blaming those guilds that can actually make it work, maybe focus on yourselves and improving.
That being said, a clan wars system, automated tournaments, small rewards for playing pvp etc. all would lead to improvemnt.
Personally I don't like the idea of making the guilds smaller and would rather focus on growing the game/ its player base - aswell as making pvp more attractive. Fixing Guild Island would be a great start.