How to deal with the "showdown" effect?

[caravel]

Twice I ve played as the Irish in the VI campaign-the first time the Picts were the superpower, the second, the Mercians.

The Picts, the Superpower?! I think I've seen that happen once as well. Though normally the Picts are the faction that get wiped out and keep reappearing.

In the MTW VI campaign, more often than not its the French who end up with tons of stacks whizzing around the campaign map.

The French can be a pain. Just when you've laboriously purged them from the map, they're back again a few years later because the AI, that is occupying one of their provnces, lets loyalty fall too low. They're usually crusading, excommunicated, at war with everyone, or a combination of all three. Whichever faction you play as, the French are likely to be a problem for you at some point.

Now I ve three campaigns going-
Im the Portuguese (XL) normal/ Early

I tried that campaign a few years back, and it was extremely difficult! But I'm crap at most catholic factions anyway.

The Hungarians/Hard/ Early on MTW VI

This catholic faction i can get one with, because they have horse archers. I've had this game since it was released, and hadn't played the Hungarians until this year. now i kow what I was missing. A good faction with good units, starting in a good position from which to expand from.

The Irish (again) Hard on VI.

If you keep at it, you will eventually work it out. The first few times I played the Irish I was whipped. I was pleased with myself at securing the whole Island, then I expanded and took on the Scots and lost, then the Vikings sunk all of my ships and Ireland Revolted, etc etc etc.

Im taking a more laid back approach seeing "What happens if....?"

I always take the laid back approach. I rarely finish a campaign. I just see how well I can do. Once my faction is doing very well and has held onto it's historic territory for a few years, and then taken around60% of the map or thereabouts, I usually give up. Occasionally I don't, but such occasions are rare.