Metal Coat is one of the most important evolution items in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. It is required to evolve Scyther into Scizor and Onix into Steelix, both through trade while they are holding the item. Metal Coat is also locked behind late-game progress, which is why so many players hit a wall with their favorite Steel-types.
All ways to get Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
There are three in-game methods to obtain Metal Coat:
- Reward from Side Mission 101 “Steadfast as Steel”
- Reward from Side Mission 114 “A Feather from Skarmory”
- Purchased from an NPC in the Racine Construction building (4,980 Pokédollars, unlimited stock)
Every one of these options is gated behind fairly late story progress. The earliest Metal Coats appear around Main Mission 35; the shop and one of the side missions only unlock after you see the end credits.
Metal Coat from Side Mission 101 “Steadfast as Steel”
Side Mission 101, titled “Steadfast as Steel”, is one of the first late-game opportunities to grab a Metal Coat.
Key points:
- Mission ID: 101
- Name: “Steadfast as Steel”
- Availability: Appears around Main Mission 35
- Reward: 1× Metal Coat
Metal Coat from Side Mission 114 “A Feather from Skarmory”
Side Mission 114, “A Feather from Skarmory”, is another single-use way to get a Metal Coat before relying on the shop. It appears very late in the game.
Key points:
- Mission ID: 114
- Name: “A Feather from Skarmory”
- Typical availability: After the main story credits (or very close to the endgame at Rank A)
- Location to start: NPC near the entrance to Wild Zone 17
- Reward: 1× Metal Coat
Buying Metal Coat at Racine Construction (unlimited copies)
Once you are in the postgame, Metal Coat becomes fully repeatable through a vendor in the Racine Construction building in Lumiose City.
Key points:
- Location: Racine Construction headquarters in Lumiose City
- Unlock: Postgame, after seeing the story credits; Racine Construction becomes a fast travel point
- Price: 4,980 Pokédollars per Metal Coat
- Stock: Unlimited
Which Pokémon need Metal Coat to evolve
Metal Coat is used for two trade-based evolutions in Pokémon Legends: Z-A:
| Base Pokémon | Requirement | Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Scyther | Trade while holding Metal Coat | Scizor |
| Onix | Trade while holding Metal Coat | Steelix |
Both Scizor and Steelix also have Mega Evolution forms in Pokémon Legends: Z-A, so getting their evolutions set up is important for filling the Pokédex and for team-building in the endgame.
How to use Metal Coat to evolve Scyther and Onix
The game keeps the classic trade evolution rules for Metal Coat evolutions. The item does not work like a stone you simply use from your bag.
Why Metal Coat feels “late” in Legends: Z-A
Many players encounter a bottleneck when they catch or shiny-hunt Scyther or Onix early, only to discover that Metal Coat is not accessible until they are deep into the Lumiose story. Side missions 101 and 114 appear late in the mission list, and the Racine Construction shop only comes online once the credits have rolled.
If you are still in the early ranks of the story, there is no reliable in-game way to rush Metal Coat. The practical options are:
- Advance the main missions until Side Mission 101 appears and claim your first Metal Coat.
- Push all the way into late-game and postgame to unlock both Side Mission 114 and the Racine Construction vendor.
- Arrange an online trade with another player who already has Metal Coats and is willing to send one.
Planning around that timing helps avoid frustration if you are investing hours hunting a shiny Scyther or Onix: the evolution step will only come together once the story is far enough along.
