Recommended Position
First
Why?
Ashvatthama has high Stamina and has Shield as well - a good choice for the First position. Due to higher speed, Ashvatthama will be able to attack much sooner than the other cards. From level 3 onwards, Jatuka ability comes into play which makes the card more dangerous
Top Abilities and Cards to Boost
Tamrkaar :
Boosts the most damaged Shield in your cards
Cards with Tamrkaar:
Level 1 onwards : Duhsah, Vakr
Level 5 onwards : AnantVijay Shankh
For example, if Ashvatthama is hit by a Physical or Ranged attack and its Shield gets damaged/destroyed, then these cards will be able to boost or restore the damaged/destroyed Shield.
Vidyut:
Increases Astr attack of all your cards
Cards with Vidyut:
Level 1 onwards : Sughosh
Having a card with this ability on your team boosts all your Astr attack cards by 1. Pairing this card with Ashvatthama will increase its damage by 1 point.
Top Abilities and Cards to Counter
AstrBhransh :
Reduces damage from Astr attacks
Cards with AstrBhransh :
Level 1 onwards : Nakul, Ketuman, Shishupal, Chitrkundal
Level 4 onwards : Sulochan, Alayudh
Level 5 onwards : Bahlik
Cards with AstrBhransh ability reduce the damage done by Astr attacks. This means that if Ashvatthama hits these cards with an Astr attack of 4 , the damage will be reduced to 2.
Mrugaya :
Targets First Astr/Ranged attack card in positions 2 - 6
Cards with Mrugaya:
Level 1 onwards : Satyaki, Uttar, Sama, Pashi, Ugravadh, Uluk
Level 3 onwards : Hans
Level 7 onwards : Vasati
Cards with Mrugaya ability will target cards with Astr/Ranged attack that are not in the First position. If all cards before Ashvatthama are Physical or no attack cards, then Ashvatthama will become a target of such cards.
Bhedak :
Destroys target's Shield instantly
Cards with Bhedak:
Level 1 onwards : Sudakshin, Chekitana, Sharasan, Shakradev
Level 4 : Satrajit
Cards enabled with Bhedak ability can destroy the target’s Shield instantly. This means that such cards can destroy Ashvatthama ’s Shield in one go!
PratiAstr :
Reflects Astr attack with reduced Astr attack (min. 1)
Cards with PratiAstr:
Level 1 onwards : Ugrasen, Senani, Kavachi, Iravan
Level 3 onwards : Vajradatt, Prativindhya
Level 8 onwards : Satyasandh
Cards with PratiAstr ability hit back at Astr attack cards with reduced Astr. This means, if attacked by Ashvatthama, these cards will be able to return damage of 2 every time Ashvatthama hits them successfully.
Varah :
Attacks from anywhere; targets highest Stamina card
Cards with Varah :
Level 1 onwards : Balvardhan, Sharasan, Chitrasen Gandharv, Keechak, Shalvayan, Dirghabahu, Maniman, Shala, Vamdev, Sukumar, Shrutsen
Level 3 onwards : Urnanabh, Meghavahan
Cards with Varah ability can be used to counter high Stamina cards like Ashvatthama placed anywhere in the lineup