How to deal with the "showdown" effect?

[drone]

If the enemy has horses, bring Bonnachts (or plain Spearmen) to stall them while you attack them in the rear with...I believe you can guess which units.
Really simple but very efficient.

Now that I have started an Irish VI campaign, I did have one question here. The Bonnacht stats look pretty good for spearmen, do they count as spears when fighting? Do they get the rank bonus?

[Vladimir]

Now that I have started an Irish VI campaign, I did have one question here. The Bonnacht stats look pretty good for spearmen, do they count as spears when fighting? Do they get the rank bonus?

I wouldn't think so. Their formation is pretty spread out, have good attack, and poor defense.

[caravel]

Bonnachts have poor defense, no cavalry defense bonus, no cavalry attack bonus and no rank bonus at all. They are not spearmen in any shape or form. Their weapon is down as a "heavy spear", and not a javelin or dart.

[drone]

Thank you, that is what I suspected.

[Tony Furze]

Just comes to show how different each campaign can be. I decided to groom my generals stars this campaign, as the last one I was stuck with 1 and 2 star generals. Best way? Rebellions. So I "allowed " Munster to rebel. After that successful attempt, I was beset with rebellions in practically all provinces.

Finally there was a huge battle of 2500+ rebels and 1000 of my men-again in Munster. Great for learning your mens skills fast.

Kerns are indispensible, as you say, to pepper the enemy. Gallows can be as terrifying as Huscarles (in their way). The Horsemen proved themselves admirably gaining most valour in the battle.