Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends Z-A: Complete Evolution Guide

Metal Coat is one of the most important evolution items in Pokémon Legends Z-A, acting as the key to unlocking powerful Steel-type forms like Scizor and Steelix. Unlike common held items you might stumble upon early, Metal Coat is tightly gated behind late-game and post-game content, and it never appears as a random overworld pickup. This guide walks you through every reliable way to get Metal Coat, when each method becomes available, and how to use it optimally for your team.

What Metal Coat Does in Pokémon Legends Z-A

Before tracking down Metal Coat, it helps to understand why the item matters so much in this game. Although specific balance tweaks are unique to Legends Z-A, Metal Coat retains the two core roles it has had in the main series:

• Evolution catalyst: Enables specific trade evolutions.
• Battle enhancer: Boosts Steel-type attacks when held.

Metal Coat as an Evolution Item

Metal Coat is used to evolve two Pokémon that appear prominently in Legends Z-A:

• Scyther → Scizor (via trade while holding Metal Coat)
• Onix → Steelix (via trade while holding Metal Coat)

These evolutions significantly upgrade both stats and typings, turning fragile mid-game partners into sturdy late-game anchors. In line with the core Pokémon series rules, the evolution is triggered by trading the Pokémon while it is holding the Metal Coat; once the trade completes, the evolution occurs automatically. Official series guides from The Pokémon Company have consistently noted this mechanic since Metal Coat’s introduction in Generation II.¹

Metal Coat as a Held Item

While its use for evolutions is the main attraction, Metal Coat also functions as a straightforward held item. When a Pokémon holds a Metal Coat, its Steel-type moves receive a damage boost. Previous main-series entries have described this bonus as a 20% power increase.² Although Legends Z-A may adjust exact percentages behind the scenes, the design intent remains the same: it makes Steel-type offense more threatening.

This makes Metal Coat worth keeping on:

• Scizor using Bullet Punch, Iron Head, or similar moves.
• Steelix relying on powerful Steel-type attacks.
• Other Steel-type Pokémon on your team that want extra offensive power.

All Known Ways to Get Metal Coat

Metal Coat is intentionally rare in Pokémon Legends Z-A. Every known acquisition method is tied either to late-game storyline progress, tough side missions, or post-game features. It never appears in the overworld as a random glittering item, and no wild Pokémon carry it by default, making planning essential.

1. Late-Game Side Mission: Steadfast as Steel

The earliest point at which you can obtain a Metal Coat is through a specific late-game side mission focused on Steel-type Pokémon. This mission becomes available only after making substantial progress in the main story.

How to Unlock the Mission

To access this side mission, you first need to advance the main scenario until you’re tasked with rising through the ranks of the Z-A Royale, the game’s central battle competition. Once you receive a main quest directing you toward Rank A, a Rust Syndicate member in the city’s Bleu Street area will offer the optional mission. This means you’ll already be well into the latter part of the storyline before you even see the quest marker.

What the Mission Involves

When you accept the mission, you’re pitted against a lineup of Steel-type Pokémon that showcase the strengths of the type you’re chasing:

• Steelix
• Scizor
• Mawile
• Excadrill

Steel Pokémon are known for high Defense and numerous resistances, as reflected in official type charts maintained by The Pokémon Company.¹ Prepare a team that can handle this combination of toughness and varied coverage. Fire, Fighting, and Ground moves are particularly effective against Steel types in main-series games,³ and similar matchups apply conceptually in Legends Z-A.

Reward: Your First Metal Coat

Once you defeat the Steel-type squad, you’re awarded a single Metal Coat. This is your first guaranteed chance to obtain the item before the credits roll, so think carefully about how you want to use it. Many players choose to turn their Scyther into Scizor at this point, but evolving Onix into Steelix is equally viable if you lean toward a more defensive team.

2. Post-Game Side Mission: A Feather From Skarmory

The second guaranteed Metal Coat is tied to an even more challenging side mission that becomes available after completing the main story. This quest sends you into one of the game’s more intimidating open areas in search of a rare Skarmory-related collectible.

Unlock Requirements

To make this mission appear, you typically need to meet two conditions:

• Finish the main storyline and see the end credits.
• Advance far enough in the Z-A Royale (up to Rank A) to unlock extra post-game content around the Wild Zones.

Once those requirements are met, the quest giver appears near the entrance to a late Wild Zone region (commonly referred to as Wild Zone 17 in fan discussions). Talking to this NPC starts the mission.

Quest Objectives

The core of the quest is simple but dangerous:

1. Accept the mission from the NPC near the Wild Zone entrance.
2. Enter the Wild Zone and navigate to a high ledge or rooftop area accessed via a ladder.
3. Interact with a distinctive red glowing object, which triggers a battle with a powerful Skarmory.
4. Defeat Skarmory and return to the quest giver with the feather-like item you retrieve.

Skarmory is a dual Steel/Flying-type Pokémon known for its exceptional Defense and resistances, especially to common physical attacks.¹ Bringing Electric, Fire, or strong special attacks helps make the fight more manageable.

Reward: Second Guaranteed Metal Coat

Completing the quest rewards you with another Metal Coat. At this stage, you may already have one evolved Steel-type on your team. This second item allows you to round out your roster—perhaps evolving both Scyther and Onix so you can field Scizor and Steelix simultaneously, or keeping one as a permanent held item for a different Steel-type.

3. Infinite Z-A Royale: Random Metal Coat Rewards

Once the main story is over, the Z-A Royale unlocks an endless mode often referred to as the Infinite Z-A Royale. This acts as a high-level battle facility where you can take on continuous challenges in exchange for random rewards.

How Rewards Work

After completing certain match streaks or reward tiers, you receive items drawn from a loot pool. Metal Coat is one of the possible prizes, but:

• It is not guaranteed after any single run.
• The drop rate appears to be relatively low.
• It competes with other rare held items in the reward table.

This method is best suited for players who already enjoy the challenge of the battle facility and are comfortable grinding for incremental advantages. Treat Metal Coat as a bonus that appears over time rather than a primary target you can farm consistently.

When to Use This Method

Use Infinite Z-A Royale for Metal Coats when:

• You already cleared the key post-game side missions.
• You have spare team configurations you want to test in difficult battles.
• You’re building multiple competitive-ready Steel-types for multiplayer or internal challenges.

4. Racine Construction Post-Game Shop

The most reliable long-term source of Metal Coat is a special vendor that only appears after you have fully cleared the game. This shop is located inside Racine Construction, the same site used earlier during a pivotal story battle.

How to Unlock the Vendor

To make the shop appear:

• Finish the main storyline, including the final missions.
• Watch the end credits.
• Return to Racine Construction and enter the main warehouse area.

Inside, you’ll now find two NPCs selling held items and battle tools. The vendor on the left side of the warehouse is the one who offers Metal Coat.

Pricing and Stock

The Racine Construction vendor sells Metal Coat for a fixed price of 4,980 Poké Dollars each (₽4980). There’s no stock limit, allowing you to buy as many as you can afford. This transforms Metal Coat from a strictly limited resource into a standard purchasable item in the late post-game.

Given how valuable money becomes in advanced play—especially if you’re buying items, TMs, and other battle tools—it’s wise to budget for a few Metal Coats early once this shop unlocks. Focus on purchasing enough to cover your immediate evolution needs, then gradually buy extras for held-item setups.

How to Use Metal Coat for Evolutions

Once you have a Metal Coat or two in your bag, the next step is using it efficiently. Because you may only have a single copy before the credits roll, deciding where to allocate it can reshape your team’s identity.

Evolving Scyther into Scizor

Scizor is one of the standout Steel-type attackers available through Metal Coat evolution. Following the long-established series rule, evolving Scyther works like this:¹

1. Have a Scyther in your party.
2. Give Scyther a Metal Coat to hold.
3. Trade Scyther to another player (locally or online, depending on game features).
4. Scyther evolves into Scizor as soon as the trade completes.

Scizor’s Bug/Steel typing provides many resistances and a strong offensive matchup against common threats, while also benefitting from Metal Coat’s Steel-type damage boost when held. In past games, Scizor has been a staple of both single-player and competitive play due to this mix of offense, bulk, and priority moves.³

When to Prioritize Scizor

Consider using your first Metal Coat on Scyther if:

• You prefer fast-paced, offensive playstyles.
• You want access to powerful priority Steel moves late-game.
• Your team lacks strong Steel coverage and bug-type pressure.

Evolving Onix into Steelix

Steelix is the defensive counterpart to Scizor’s offense. Its evolution method mirrors that of Scyther:²

1. Have an Onix in your party.
2. Give Onix a Metal Coat to hold.
3. Trade Onix to another player.
4. Onix evolves into Steelix when the trade goes through.

Steelix gains the Steel typing while retaining its Ground type, resulting in sky-high Defense and a valuable set of resistances. Even if it’s slower and more specialized than Scizor, it provides immense value as a physical wall and hazard setter in formats where those mechanics appear.

When to Prioritize Steelix

Use your first Metal Coat on Onix if:

• Your team struggles to absorb physical attacks.
• You favor long, attrition-based battles.
• You already have a strong Bug- or Steel-type attacker and want a sturdier option instead.

Shared Constraints: Trade Requirement

Both evolutions require trading, a tradition dating back to early Pokémon games where trade-based evolutions were used to encourage social play.² This can be a stumbling block if you primarily play solo, but there are typically options such as:

• Trading with friends locally.
• Using online matchmaking or trade codes, if available.
• Coordinating trades with a trusted partner to trade back once the evolution completes.

If you can’t access trading, your Metal Coat will still function as a potent held item, but you won’t be able to evolve Scyther or Onix using standard methods.

Metal Coat Availability vs. Scizor and Steelix Encounters

One subtle but important detail about Pokémon Legends Z-A is that Scizor and Steelix do not seem to appear commonly in the wild. Unlike some earlier titles where these evolutions might occasionally be found in late-game zones, here they are primarily locked behind trade evolutions.

There is at least one special appearance of an Alpha Steelix during a late main-story quest, but this encounter is a one-off. If you knock it out instead of catching it, it does not respawn. That means your only reliable long-term access to these species is via trade evolution enabled by Metal Coat.

This design choice further emphasizes how central Metal Coat is to team-building. If you want consistent access to Scizor or Steelix across multiple playthroughs or save files, you’ll need to:

• Plan your side missions carefully to secure multiple Metal Coats.
• Farm the Infinite Z-A Royale for extra copies if desired.
• Invest money into Metal Coat purchases at Racine Construction during the post-game.

Practical Tips for Managing Metal Coats

Because Metal Coat is scarce until the post-game, it’s worth thinking strategically about how and when you use it.

• Don’t rush your first evolution: Wait until you’re satisfied with a Scyther or Onix’s move set before evolving, especially if move learnsets change after evolution.
• Consider trade logistics: Make sure you have a trading partner lined up so your Metal Coat doesn’t sit unused.
• Prioritize team balance: If your roster lacks a wall, Steelix may be more impactful than Scizor, and vice versa.
• Revisit Racine Construction early post-game: Unlocking this shop as soon as possible gives you the freedom to experiment with extra Steel-types.

Frequently Asked Questions About Metal Coat

Can I farm Metal Coats before finishing the main story?

No. Before the credits roll, your only guaranteed Metal Coat comes from the late-game “Steadfast as Steel” side mission. Infinite Z-A Royale access and the Racine Construction shop are post-game features, so large-scale farming isn’t possible until after you complete the main storyline.

Do any wild Pokémon hold Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends Z-A?

Current information suggests that no wild Pokémon in Pokémon Legends Z-A spawn with Metal Coat as their held item. All known sources are mission rewards, battle facility drops, or shop purchases, unlike some earlier entries where wild Magnemite or Steelix occasionally carried the item.

Is Metal Coat consumed when used for evolution?

Yes. When you trade a Pokémon holding Metal Coat to trigger evolution, the item is consumed in the process, just like in main-series games. You won’t get the Metal Coat back after the trade, so evolve thoughtfully while Metal Coat supplies are limited.

Can I remove Metal Coat after starting the trade?

No. Once the trade completes and the evolution triggers, Metal Coat is gone. If you want to keep Metal Coat as a held item instead of using it for evolution, you must take it off the Pokémon before initiating the trade.

Is there any way to get Scizor or Steelix without Metal Coat?

Outside of one special Alpha Steelix encounter tied to the main story, Scizor and Steelix are not reliably obtainable as wild Pokémon. In practice, Metal Coat-enabled trade evolutions are the primary method for adding them to your team in Pokémon Legends Z-A.