Arrma

Kraton 8S BLX EXB

The 1/5 speed monster truck that defines the 8S basher class.

4.6

Category: Basher
Scale: 1/5
Power: Electric (8S LiPo capable)
Released: 2023
MSRP: $899

Overview

The Kraton 8S BLX EXB is Arrma's flagship large-scale basher — a 24-pound tank engineered to eat jumps, wheelstands, and general abuse for breakfast. The current EXB (Extreme Bash) edition, launched in 2023, upgrades the platform with a 5mm 7075-T6 aluminum chassis, a 56mm Spektrum Firma 1100Kv brushless motor with 10% more torque than the previous generation, and a Spektrum S6510 steel-gear servo with 820 oz-in of torque. On 8S LiPo (two 4S packs in series) it pushes 55+ mph out of the box with enough acceleration to backflip off almost any ramp. The stock electronics are waterproof, the Spektrum DX3 transmitter includes AVC (Active Vehicle Control) for stability, and the entire platform is designed around easy modular access for maintenance.

The Verdict

What's good

8S power out of the box — 55+ mph stock
EXB 7075-T6 5mm aluminum chassis is nearly indestructible
Massive parts ecosystem — available at any hobby shop
Waterproof electronics, works in mud and snow
Spektrum Smart ESC with Bluetooth telemetry

Watch out for

Chews tires on asphalt — budget for replacements
8S LiPo costs $250+ per pair
Weight makes solo recoveries from rollovers difficult
Not beginner-friendly — full throttle is genuinely dangerous
Stock body takes cosmetic damage quickly

Who it's for

Experienced bashersBig jumpsOpen off-road terrainScale-size budget

Known Issues

The original 2018 Kraton had weak CVD bones and prone-to-break diff outdrives — the EXB revision (2023+) fixed both with steel outdrives and thicker turnbuckles. If buying used, confirm it's the EXB v2 (look for red-anodized chassis parts) or expect to upgrade those components immediately. Stock body mounts crack with enough jump abuse; aftermarket aluminum ones are the most common first mod.

Common Mods

Pro-Line Badlands MX43 tires (stock Copperheads chunk fast), MIP CVDs if running on an older revision, aluminum servo arm, RPM or TBR body mounts, upgraded center diff fluid (15k+ wt) for high-speed stability.

Active Listings for this Model

Arrma Kraton 8S BLX — Bashed But Solid

Owner Reviews

4.6

2 reviews

Jake MorrisonVerified Owner

@basher_jake•3/14/2026•Owned 3 years

Three years in, still the king

I've owned this Kraton since 2022 (original 8S, upgraded to EXB V2 parts progressively). Over 400 battery packs through it. I've replaced: one set of CVD bones (pre-EXB), both rear hinge pins (twice), a servo horn, and four sets of tires. The chassis is still dead straight. The Spektrum motor has never been opened. If you run it hard you'll break stuff — that's bashing — but nothing has ever been a catastrophic failure. Every part is available same-day from a dozen vendors. No regrets, would buy again, will buy the next gen when it drops.

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Marcus Chen

@rockcrawler_marcus•2/20/2026•Owned 18 months

Amazing, but respect the power

Let me be clear: this is not a first basher. It's too fast, too heavy, and too expensive to repair if you're learning. I watched a buddy backflip his into a tree within 10 minutes of unboxing — $200 in broken parts before he'd even finished a single pack. That said — once you know how to drive it, there's nothing like it. The sheer authority on 8S is addictive. Just don't let a kid get the transmitter on one.

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