Metal Coat is a held item in Pokémon Legends: Z-A that increases the strength of Steel-type moves by 20%. More significantly, it’s also utilized to evolve two popular fan-favorite Pokémon — Onix and Scyther — into their Steel-type evolutions, Steelix and Scizor.
If you’re planning to fill your Pokédex or just need to increase the power of your Steel team, here is where you can obtain Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
How to Obtain Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends Z-A
There are some surefire methods of getting Metal Coat, which are largely connected with late-game or postgame missions.
1. Side Missions
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You can receive a Metal Coat as a reward for two side quests:
- Side Mission 101: Steadfast as Steel – Unlocked during Main Mission 35, near the end of the main story.
- Side Mission 114: A Feather from Skarmory – Available after completing the main game.
Both missions award one Metal Coat upon completion, so make sure to check your request board often once you’re in the late stages of the campaign.
2. Buying from Racine Construction Vendors
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Once the main story is complete, two new merchants become available within Racine Construction in Lumiose City.
The merchant on the left offers Metal Coats for 4,980 Poké Coins a piece. It’s expensive, but it’s the most reliable means to resupply if you’re going to be evolving multiple Pokémon or keeping extras on hand for trade purposes.
3. Infinite Z-A Royale Rewards
When you unlock the Infinite Z-A Royale postgame mode, you can get Metal Coats as rare drops from finished matches.
They’re not assured and drop with a low rate, but if you’re grinding the Royale for other high-worth items to begin with, you can get a couple of them eventually.
Pokémon That Evolve Using Metal Coat
Metal Coat is used to evolve two Pokémon in Pokémon Legends: Z-A:
| Base Pokémon | Evolution | Requirement |
| Onix | Steelix | Trade while holding Metal Coat |
| Scyther | Scizor | Trade while holding Metal Coat |
Here’s how to carry out the evolution:
- Open your Party or Box menu.
- Choose your Scyther or Onix and select Give an Item to Hold.
- Give the Metal Coat from your “Other Items” tab.
- Open the main menu (X) and choose Link Play → Link Trade → Faraway Players.
- Use the community Link Codes: 0197-0197 for Onix and 0176-0176 for Scyther
- Trade your Pokémon, and it will evolve during the exchange.
