Treadshot's vehicle mode is a jet-- which really makes you wonder why his name is Treadshot. Anyways, this mode is generally pretty darn good. Proportions are right-on, the mold and paint detailing are pretty good, and little robot extras poke through. The only noticeable extras are his robot hands, which stick out a bit underneath the jet. They aren't cumbersome by any means, and don't really detract much overall from the sleek look of the jet, like they did with, say, Energon Starscream, but they are noticeable, so it's worth noting. Some of the detailing in this mode helps spice up what would otherwise be "just another Transformer jet". The cockpit is clear blue plastic, and shows a little seat and control panel inside-- quite a feat for a basic-sized figure. He also has three retractable landing gear, though they don't have movable wheels on them. The yellow painted lines scattered through Treadshot's main body also help draw attention to the figure. Overall, this mode looks pretty nice. However... I'm not particularly fond of his Energon weapons. They're too long in comparison to the jet, and there's a long flat connector piece, used in the gestalt form, that doesn't really connect to anywhere in this mode. It's odd, since this is first time in forever that Hasbro has included an accessory with a brand new Transformer that can't be stored somewhere in its alternate mode that's out of the way. The only place I can find for it is to connect it on top of one of Treadshot's Energon weapons, but it still looks pretty goofy this way, and definitely takes away from Treadshot's otherwise symmetrical form. It's really my major beef with the toy in general; surely there would have been a more inconspicious way to attach such a flat part on the vehicle mode.
    Treadshot's robot mode is also top-notch. There are no vehicle mode extras at all that don't complement the mode in some way, and Treadshot's proportions are excellent. His articulation is also superb; he can move at pretty much any major joint except the waist, and most of these joints are ball joints, allowing for an even wider range of articulation. His head mold isn't particularly exciting-- it was a rather typical design for a G1 Autobot, actually-- but it is by no means ugly, either. (Though perhaps the optics should be a little smaller. They do have that neat light piping effect, however.) Again, though, those darn Energon weapons are the main downside of this mode. If you keep the guns flat, they interfere with elbow articulation, and that darned flat connector piece I mentioned earlier still sticks out like a sore thumb, as it can't be stored effectively in Treadshot's robot mode, either. I prefer to fold up the back ends of the guns to allow easier arm movement, though admittedly this does look a tad weird. Treadshot's Autobot spark crystal is on his upper back in this mode. Oddly enough, Treadshot is one of the very few Energon Transformers that doesn't have any Powerlinx or Minicon ports anywhere.
    According to his instructions, Treadshot forms Superion Maximus' right arm, though if you use the "leg" transformation given in his mold-mate Windrazor's instructions, you can make him any appendage on the gestalt that you want.
    Treadshot's core form is pretty near perfect-- the only noticeable downside are his visible arms in vehicle mode. Those darn Energon weapons can be rather annoying in both modes, though, and drag his score down more than anything else. In fact, if it weren't for the fact that they're needed for the gestalt form, I'd have thrown them away after I got them. Still, Treadshot is an excellent figure overall, and worth adding to your collection, especially if you like gestalts.

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Review by Beastbot

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