Neuro Coup is an original neuroscience-inspired variant of the card game Coup, designed for 10–15 players per game. The game adapts from Coup’s original roles but modifies it into various neural cell types, each with specialized abilities that reflects real biological functions.
Players use ATP (the game’s currency) to perform actions, bluff, and outmaneuver opponents until they are the last remaining “cell” in the neural network.
Components
- Role cards:
- Microglia (Contessa): “Brain Protection Mechanism”, blocks inhibitory neuron attacks.
- Inhibitory Neuron (Assassin): “Synaptic Inhibition”, spend 3 ATP to trigger apoptosis on another cell (can be blocked by Microglia).
- Astrocyte (Duke): “Metabolic Supply”, gain 3 ATP or block others from gaining 2 ATP.
- Pyramidal Neuron (Ambassador): “Synaptic Remodeling”, exchange 2 cards with the deck.
- PV+ Interneuron (Captain): “Energy Theft”, steal 2 ATP from another player; “Energy Shield”, block ATP theft.
- ATP tokens: currency in denominations of 1 ATP, 2 ATP, and 5 ATP, representing cellular energy.
Gameplay
- On each turn, a player performs one action, such as gaining ATP, stealing ATP, using a cell’s skill, or declaring apoptosis.
- If a player accumulates more than 10 ATP, they must trigger an apoptosis (force another player to lose a neuron card).
- Players can bluff about which roles they have, and others may challenge.
- Eliminated players lose all their neuron cards; the last surviving player wins.
Check out these snapshots from the 2025 National Neuroscience forum when we launched our card game Neuro Coup!
