New player and met Vlad

So I'm playing empire. Never played a total war game before. everything is going pretty well though. until i decide to try to retake land vlad took from the empire.

I just lost both my armies to him. I attacked him, lost, and then he pushed the town my armies were by. Cool we'll win with the help of the garrison. Nope, Vlad's entire army died except him, including the heroes who took forever to kill so he could solo the rest of my people. You'd think 1,000 guys would be enough? Not for Vlad, he doesn't take damage. I eventually figured out he must have some kind of life steal. so I ran who was left to the side of the map and watched him murder all my AI companions. Tried to kite him, got him to half health before people ran out of ammo or he walked at them so menacingly they ran off the battlefield. Vlad successfully won a 1v1,000 fight.

Guess I'm done with this campaign. I can't possibly beat him without having to do some super long kiting cheese tactics. Why is this a recommended person to play for new players with this guy nearby? Blown away by the devs thinking this guy is fair or fun in the game