You are head of a family in a dystopian city-state, a city run by a weak and corrupt court. You need to manipulate, bluff and bribe your way to power. Your object is to destroy the influence of all the other families, forcing them into exile. Only one family will survive...

In Coup, you want to be the last player with influence in the game, with influence being represented by face-down character cards in your playing area.

Each player starts the game with two coins and two influence – i.e., two face-down character cards; the fifteen card deck consists of three copies of five different characters, each with a unique set of powers:

• Duke: Take three coins from the treasury. Block someone from taking foreign aid.

• Assassin: Pay three coins and try to assassinate another player's character.

• Contessa: Block an assassination attempt against yourself.

• Captain: Take two coins from another player, or block someone from stealing coins from you.

• Ambassador: Draw two character cards from the Court (the deck), choose which (if any) to exchange with your face-down characters, then return two. Block someone from stealing coins from you.

The last player to still have influence – that is, a face-down character – wins the game!

Contents:

15 Character Cards
6 Summary Cards
50 Coins
1 Rulebook