Ok, im getting my son a traxxas 2 wd slash for christmas, my question is can the xl-5 speed control thats comes with use 2s lipos? or just standard packs? searched and cant really find an answer. want to get him some batteries but not sure what to get..
also is the slash decent for bashing? tried talking him out of it and going with something else. but he likes slash..

thanks, guys..will check back later.

The slash will be a great basher, especially for your son, now on to the speed controll. Look on your ESC, look were it says WATERPROOF, if it is a black background with red waterproof print, the. It has low voltage cuttoff and you can run lipos. If it has a white background with red waterproof print, its dose not have low voltage cuttoff. If you have the older version you can still run lipos, just if you run the lipo till its dead you will destroy the battery

Lipos work. The 'new'(since 2010) xl5s should have a lipo cutoff.

They are one of the most durable trucks out there.

For your first upgrades:
Jato 54t spur gear and 32p pinion(irrc a 12 tooth is the same as the stock ratio)
alloy shock caps
RPM caster blocks
RPM rear hubs

I prefer the stampede
http://www.amazon.com/Traxxas-Stampe.../dp/B000GPSUEW

If your buying it brand new than it also has lipo cutoff, it will have the black background with red waterproof print. To program the xl5 ESC with lipo cuttoff follow these rules-
http://traxxas.com/support/Programmi...-Speed-Control

Thanks for the replys guys. i didnt get it yet, ordering it friday from tower.so i guess its lipo compatable... the reason i asked was because i am ordering batteries when i order the slash..