Evolve Scyther & Onix Now — How to Get a Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends: Z‑A (2 Ways, One After Credits)

Want to evolve Scyther into Scizor or Onix into Steelix in Pokémon Legends: Z-A? Then you need a Metal Coat. Fortunately, there are two legitimate ways to get one, although both arrive fairly late in the game. Below you’ll find clear steps for each method and where to go once you can actually pick one up.

1. How to get Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends: Z-A
2. Side missions that reward Metal Coats
3. Where to buy Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

How to get Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

There are two concrete ways to obtain a Metal Coat in the game: as a reward from specific side missions, or by buying one from a vendor after you finish the main story. Either option requires notable story progress, and the earliest you can see Metal Coat related content is around Rank C — however, the side missions often appear much later.

Side missions that reward Metal Coats

Two side missions grant Metal Coats as rewards: Side Mission 101 – “Steadfast as Steel” and Side Mission 114 – “A Feather from Skarmory”. In practice, “Steadfast as Steel” typically appears around Main Mission 35, while “A Feather from Skarmory” may only appear after you have rolled credits.

Both missions start from NPCs placed in specific areas. Below are images showing the start locations for each mission so you can find the quest-givers quickly.

The NPC for Side Mission 101 appears at the location shown above.

The NPC that gives Side Mission 114 usually appears in front of the entrance to Wild Zone 17; note that the NPC may be absent from the screenshot if the quest is already completed.

After completing either of these missions you will receive a Metal Coat. Keep in mind that these quests are late-game content for most players, so don’t expect them early on.

Where to buy Metal Coat in Pokémon Legends: Z-A

If you prefer to buy Metal Coats instead, you can do that once the credits have rolled. A vendor inside the Racine Construction building sells Metal Coats for $4,980 each and has unlimited stock.

Racine Construction is located a short walk from Gare de Lumiose, just south of Restaurant Le Nah. The building also becomes a travel spot once it is unlocked, which makes repeated purchases convenient if you have the funds.

Trading and evolution notes

To evolve Scyther into Scizor or Onix into Steelix, you must trade the Pokémon while it is holding a Metal Coat. Both Scizor and Steelix also have Mega Evolutions available, so Metal Coat is important if you’re pursuing those forms or simply completing the Pokédex.