Interesting points, although not convincing as the Armenian infantry armed and trained in the Roman way (most likely by Mithridates with his Marian Roman subordinates while acting as a general for his son in-law Tigranes) and the Armenian Phalanx are rated better and historically performed worse. At least the Pontic armies won a few battles against Rome and their allies. A read of Appian as well as Plutarch may prove interesting on this matter. Also there is some interesting sources to be found in Dio Cassius. A pity that most of this later source was lost. I wonder how the Bythinian phalanx and the whole Bythinian army would be rated  considering how they were routed by some scythed chariots and the Pontic-Armenian cavalry which was a much smaller advanced guard of the Pontic army.

Just a question as to why there are no Brazen Shields in the Pontic list. They are mentioned by Plutarch a native Boetian by birth and likely knew of them because of the Battle at Chaeronea which occurred in that area. I would suggest that their name implies they may have been better than the run of the mill phalanx which are classified as Combat Shy. Definitely that is apt for the freed slaves. Although, it was during the time of Spartacus and we know how well many of his freed slaves fought. Also I have not found any reference to Thureophoroi being used by Pontic forces. Does anyone know of any references to them being in the Pontic armies? Would like very much to find some. I guess it is a common assumption that they were the most common infantry in the Hellenized regions.