If you have played Coup, you already know the idea: Monster Coup is inspired by it and adapted to play online, everyone on their own phone, with bots for missing players.

Coup is a trademark of its publisher. Apateon is not affiliated with or endorsed by it.

Monster Coup on Apateon

Monster Coup on Apateon — screenshot 3 of a game on a phone

Monster Coup on Apateon — screenshot 4 of a game on a phone

Monster Coup on Apateon — screenshot 5 of a game on a phone

How to play Monster Coup

1
You hold two secret monsters. Each one has a power — the Dragon taxes, the Shade kills, the Kraken steals.
2
On your turn claim any monster to use its power, whether you hold it or not. Anyone can call your bluff; the loser of a challenge loses a card.
3
Some powers can be blocked by claiming the right card. Lose both cards and you are out — the last one standing wins.

Full Monster Coup rules

The goal

•
Everyone starts with two hidden monster cards (their influence) and two coins.
•
Lose a challenge, get assassinated or suffer a coup and you turn a card face up. With both face up you are out. Last one standing wins.

Anyone can do these

•
Income: take 1 coin. Nobody can stop it.
•
Foreign aid: take 2 coins. Anyone claiming the Dragon can block it.
•
Coup: pay 7 coins and make a player lose a card. It cannot be blocked. With 10 or more coins you must coup.

Challenges

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Whenever someone claims a monster — to act or to block — anyone may challenge.
•
If they really hold it, they show it, shuffle it back, draw a new one, and the challenger loses a card.
•
If they were bluffing, they lose a card and the action (or the block) fails.
•
You have a few seconds to answer; staying quiet means you let it happen.

Tips to win at Monster Coup

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Claiming the Dragon to collect 3 coins is the most common early lie: few players risk challenging it on the first turn.
•
Count the revealed cards: there are three copies of each monster. If two Gorgons are already face up, whoever claims the third is probably lying.
•
A Coup costs 7 coins and cannot be blocked or challenged: save it for the most dangerous rival at the table.
•
With one card left, think twice before challenging: if you are wrong, you lose your last card and you are out.
•
If someone tries to assassinate you and you have one card left, claiming the Gorgon almost always pays: without the block you would lose it anyway.

Why Apateon

One code for the whole night

One room, one 4-letter code, every game. Switch games without inviting anyone again.

No account

Type your name and play. No sign-up, no passwords.

Bots fill empty seats

Missing someone? A bot takes the seat so you can start right away.

Phone and web

Some play from the app, others from a browser — all in the same game.

If you like Monster Coup, try

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Spyfall

Find the spy — or bluff your way through

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FAQ

Which monsters are in Monster Coup?

Five, with three copies of each: Dragon (takes 3 coins, blocks foreign aid), Shade (pays 3 to assassinate), Kraken (steals 2 coins, blocks stealing), Mimic (exchanges cards with the court, blocks stealing) and Gorgon (blocks assassination).

Can I lie about my cards?

Yes, that is the point of the game: you can claim any monster. If someone challenges and you do not have it, you lose a card; if you do, the challenger loses one.

When is a Coup mandatory?

When you start your turn with 10 or more coins: that turn you must pay 7 and stage a Coup.

How many people can play Monster Coup?

Monster Coup plays with 2 to 6 players. If you are short, Apateon fills the empty seats with bots.

How long is a game of Monster Coup?

A full game takes about 15 minutes.

Can I play Monster Coup online for free?

Yes. Monster Coup is free in your browser and in the Apateon app, with no sign-up.

Is Monster Coup like Coup?

It is inspired by Coup: the same idea, adapted to play online for free, everyone on their own phone, with bots for missing players.

Do we all need to be in the same place?

No. Everyone uses their own phone or computer, so you can play around one table or remotely, for example over a video call.