>>528179016
Yeah, the guild shop is a consistent source of gold plates. Every day in the guild, you can give up some resources (600 coins, 200 oil, plates, merit) and you get guild currency.

There are also guild missions, but if you can give those three daily resources then you don't have to participate to get those gold plates. You'll want to join if you intend to buy other stuff from the guild shop.

Guilds also let you increase your dock space. The UI sucks so I don't understand it well, but it works.

The chat UI is a disaster so no one uses it much.