Unlocking Mega Potential: Your Comprehensive Guide on How to Get the Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

The highly anticipated release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A has ushered in a new era for trainers, centering the action on a massive urban redevelopment project in Lumiose City and, crucially, the triumphant return of Mega Evolution. To fully capitalize on the strategic depth offered by this feature, players must seek out vital evolution items. Among the most sought-after is the Metal Coat, an item essential for evolving two key Pokémon: Onix into Steelix and Scyther into the formidable Scizor. This comprehensive guide, informed by the latest in-game discoveries and player reports following the October 16, 2025, launch, details the most efficient and reliable methods for adding this metallic film to your inventory.

The Metal Coat is not merely a catalyst for evolution; when held by any Pokémon, it grants a 20% boost to the power of their Steel-type moves, offering a significant tactical advantage in the game’s dynamic real-time battles and the challenging Z-A Royale competition. Trainers looking to maximize their team’s battle readiness will find the pursuit of this item to be a high-priority endeavor.

Primary Methods to Obtain the Metal Coat in Lumiose City

Unlike previous titles where the item might be a random drop or a rare find, Pokémon Legends: Z-A provides several structured paths to securing the Metal Coat. The scarcity of the item in the early game gives way to guaranteed acquisition methods as trainers progress into the late-game and post-game content.

The most concrete ways to obtain the Metal Coat are currently confirmed as:

• Side Mission Rewards: Two specific late-game Side Missions—Side Mission 101: Steadfast as Steel and Side Mission 114: A Feather from Skarmory—feature the Metal Coat as a primary reward. These missions are designed to test a trainer’s mastery of the game’s mechanics and knowledge of Lumiose City’s sprawling map.
• Direct Purchase from a Vendor: For trainers with a healthy supply of Pokédollars, the most straightforward method becomes available during the endgame phase. An NPC vendor located within the Racine Construction district of Lumiose City offers the Metal Coat for purchase.

The High-Value Market: Racine Construction NPC Vendor

The ability to purchase the Metal Coat from a vendor within Racine Construction is a critical quality-of-life improvement for players looking to evolve multiple Pokémon or utilize the item as a battle-boosting held item. This method, while requiring a financial investment, removes the dependence on mission completion or random drops, making it a reliable source for the item—a key factor for players engaging in competitive content.

• Location: Racine Construction, Lumiose City.
• Cost: 4,980 Pokédollars per Metal Coat.
• Supply: The vendor has an unlimited supply, a boon for trainers seeking both the Steelix and Scizor evolutionary lines.

The relatively high cost of 4,980 Pokédollars positions this item with a considerable CPC (Cost Per Conversion) value in the in-game economy, reflecting its strategic importance for completing the Pokédex and accessing powerful Mega Evolutions, such as Mega Scizor and Mega Steelix, both confirmed to be in the game.

Evolving Scyther and Onix: The Trade and Hold Requirement

Obtaining the Metal Coat is only the first step. For trainers new to the classic evolutionary methods, it is imperative to understand the mechanic tied to this item. The Metal Coat is a Trade Evolution Item, meaning the process requires a specific condition to be met:

• Scyther: To evolve Scyther into Scizor (Bug/Steel-type), the Scyther must be holding the Metal Coat while being traded to another player.
• Onix: To evolve Onix into the imposing Steelix (Steel/Ground-type), the Onix must also be holding the Metal Coat while being traded.

This requirement necessitates engaging with the game’s online trading features. Trainers are strongly advised to coordinate with a trusted trading partner to ensure the newly evolved Pokémon is promptly traded back, securing the coveted entries in the Lumiose Pokédex.

Strategic Impact on Competitive Play: Beyond Evolution

The return of the Metal Coat, alongside a plethora of other held items like the Life Orb and Expert Belt, confirms that Pokémon Legends: Z-A places a strong emphasis on the strategic depth of combat. The reintroduction of held items dramatically increases the variables in the new, dynamic battle system, which has been lauded by early reviews for its focus on fast-paced, real-time decision-making (Source: Twisted Voxel Review, Oct. 20, 2025).

• Steel-Type Damage Boost: The inherent 20% boost to Steel-type moves is crucial for maximizing the damage output of Steel-type attackers like the aforementioned Scizor and Steelix, even when not evolving. This makes it a formidable item for trainers utilizing the many returning Steel-type favorites in the Lumiose Pokédex.
• Mega Evolution Synergy: Both Scizor and Steelix gain powerful Mega Evolutions in the game, providing a significant boost to their base stats and, in some cases, changing their competitive role. The Metal Coat is the key to unlocking these powerhouses, which are essential for navigating the upper tiers of the Z-A Royale.

Final Recommendations for Lumiose City Trainers

In the vast, interconnected city of Lumiose, trainers should prioritize the pursuit of the Metal Coat as soon as the late-game opens up. Whether through diligent completion of the designated Side Missions or by accumulating the necessary Pokédollars for a direct purchase at the Racine Construction site, securing this item is a non-negotiable step for Pokédex completion and achieving competitive dominance. The game’s focus on the urban environment and the integration of Mega Evolution makes every strategic advantage count, and the Metal Coat provides one of the most reliable boosts available to a Steel-type specialist.

Remember that the spirit of Pokémon Legends: Z-A is one of exploration and discovery within a dynamic, evolving city. The challenge of finding and utilizing key items like the Metal Coat is part of the satisfying journey toward becoming a Mega Evolution master.

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