game profile

Coup

Bluff-and-call micro-filler

BGG · boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/131357

Coup is a very light game (weight 1/10). Despite the modest rules footprint, the decision space is deep (4/10) — the kind of game that rewards a dozen plays. Decisions come at a steady pace (5/10) — engaged without being exhausting. Interaction is maxed (9/10) — every turn shapes what your opponents can do. Direct conflict exists but is contained (6/10).

Of every game in our catalog, Coup is closest to Santorini (85% profile match) but scores higher on negotiation (4 vs. 0).

WeightDepthDensityInteractionConflictNegotiationInputOutputCatch-upThemeEngineNarrative
Solo0/10
Fiddly1/10
Players
4P5P6P3P1P2P

The 12-axis profile

Every score is on a 0–10 scale. The rubric and methodology behind these numbers is documented in the README.

Thinking

how much brainwork?
Weight
1
Depth
4
Density
5

Coup is a very light game (weight 1/10). Despite the modest rules footprint, the decision space is deep (4/10) — the kind of game that rewards a dozen plays. Decisions come at a steady pace (5/10) — engaged without being exhausting.

Interaction

how multiplayer is the multiplayer?
Interaction
9
Conflict
6
Negotiation
4

Interaction is maxed (9/10) — every turn shapes what your opponents can do. Direct conflict exists but is contained (6/10).

Luck

where does luck live?
Input
2
Output
0
Catch-up
2

Variance is low across the board (input 2/10, output 0/10) — this is a skill game with little to blame the dice for. Be warned: catch-up is weak (2/10) — early stumbles can be hard to recover from.

Experience

how does it feel?
Theme
3
Engine
0
Narrative
1

The theme is pasted on (3/10) — you're really there for the systems. Tempo is steady (engine 0/10) — no big-payoff combo turns.

Variance is low across the board (input 2/10, output 0/10) — this is a skill game with little to blame the dice for. Be warned: catch-up is weak (2/10) — early stumbles can be hard to recover from.

The theme is pasted on (3/10) — you're really there for the systems. Tempo is steady (engine 0/10) — no big-payoff combo turns.

Games like Coup

Ranked by weighted Euclidean distance across the 12-axis profile, using the default research-weighted lens. Click any game to see its full profile.

Frequently asked

Answers derived directly from Coup's 12-axis profile.

Is Coup good solo?
No — Coup is a strictly multiplayer experience (solo 0/10).
What player count is Coup best at?
Coup is at its best at 4P, 5P, 6P; with 3P also strong; 1P, 2P are the weakest counts.
Is Coup a heavy game?
Coup is very light (weight 1/10). Rules explained in minutes.
How much luck is there in Coup?
Coup is a near-skill game (input 2/10, output 0/10) — very little blame to lay on the dice.
Is Coup confrontational?
Coup has meaningful but contained conflict (6/10) — friction without table-flipping.

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