GAT and Street Wraith

[jj2423]

I have noticed that alot of newer GAT constructions (since gush was unrestricted), run less psychatogs and now are using street wraith in their place. Is the cycling ability on street wraith the reason that this is occuring, or is there another purpose?

[Sarah Angel]

It's for cycling

[mr cheese]

The first use of a Wraith is for cycling.

But sometimes I've seen people hardcast it, and it was pretty good then.

[Necrologia]

The only reason to include Street Wraith in a deck is for the cycling, and any other benefit you might get from having a creature in the grave. Be it to pump Goyf or to feed Ichorid. That said, sometimes things go wrong and it's time to break out the backup plan. Hardcast Street Wraith is much the same as a hardcast Elvish Spirit Guide. It wasn't why they're in the deck, but sometimes beatdown is beatdown.

[KiernanM]

Street Wraith is included in GAT for the cycling/cantrip. 

Reasons to include Street Wraith over Opt, Sleight of Hand, or w/e else:
1.  It costs no mana
     a.  The more you need speed, the more you prefer Wraiths
     b.  The more you need to leave mana open to cast Mana Drain, or w/e, on their turn, the more you prefer Wraiths
2.  It's not a spell
     a.  They can't counter it w/ Chalice, or any other kind of counter (except Stifle, lol awesome move - or they can 'Needle it, for even more awesomeness)
     b.  Spheres don't do anything to it
3.  You might summon it in some situation for some reason

Reasons to include Opt over Sleight of Hand, Street Wraith, or w/e else:
1.  It digs more than Street Wraith, so it's better @ the control role
2.  You can cast it whenever and you think options > seeing 1 more card
3.  You don't pay life, which matters or doesn't, depending on the match
4.  You don't anticipate needing a 3/4 swampwalking wraith @ BB3 for any reason. 

The only reason to use Sleight over Opt is that you see 1 more card.