rajule
it's becoming clear that CDPR want spies to become a lot more risky to play, or at least cards that give you card advantage more risky.
the actually spy cards that draw you a card, all saw an increase in strength (except avallac'h).
ciaran in this case saw a strength reduction to make him riskier to put in your deck. Meaning you need to have a way to redraw/replace him. (If you don't wan to be stuck with a 1 strength unit, that's the risk)
yes I understand that does make him not a great card later on, or if you draw him too late. but it seems that is the price you have to pay for card advantage.
Now that he does almost nothing beyond card advantage you need to think twice about whether you put him in your deck, and if you do you probably need ways to replace him.
To be honest, this change to ciaran hasn't really done anything, cairan pre-patch was played for his ability above all else, and those who did run him (even at 4 strength) had a way to replace him.
The fact you are questioning his usefulness would make it seem CDPR were sucsessul with you, in making him seem riskier, or not as valuable to put in your deck.