Hey there, fellow Pokemon trainer! If you’re anything like me, you’ve been spending countless hours exploring Lumiose City in Pokemon Legends Z-A, trying to catch ’em all and complete your Pokedex. But let’s be real – sometimes those evolution items can be tricky to find, am I right? Today, I’m going to share everything I’ve learned about tracking down one of the most sought-after evolution items: the Metal Coat.
When I first started playing Pokemon Legends Z-A, I was frustrated trying to figure out how to evolve my Scyther into that awesome Scizor I’d seen in all the promotional materials. I mean, who wouldn’t want a bug/steel type powerhouse with those incredible scissors? But after hours of searching and talking to every NPC in sight, I finally cracked the code. And let me tell you, there’s more than one way to get your hands on this shiny evolution item!
What is Metal Coat and Why Do You Need It?
Before we dive into the locations, let’s talk about why you’re even here. The Metal Coat isn’t just some random item you collect for bragging rights – it’s actually super useful in two ways:
First, when a Pokemon holds it, the Metal Coat boosts the power of Steel-type moves by 20%. That’s pretty handy in battles, especially if you’re running a steel-type team like I sometimes do.
But the real reason we’re all here is for evolution. In Pokemon Legends Z-A, there are exactly two Pokemon that need the Metal Coat to reach their final forms:
- Scyther → Scizor (Bug/Steel type – yes, please!)
- Onix → Steelix (Steel/Ground type – talk about a tank!)
And here’s the kicker – both of these evolved forms have Mega Evolutions available in the game. So if you want to go all out with these powerhouses, you’re going to need that Metal Coat.
Method 1: Buying Metal Coat from Racine Construction
Okay, let’s start with the most straightforward method – buying it. I’ll be honest, when I first heard you could buy Metal Coats, I was skeptical. I mean, evolution items are usually rare finds, right? But Game Freak really changed things up in Z-A.
Where to Find Racine Construction: Racine Construction is located in the southeast part of Lumiose City. To get there, you’ll want to take the main southeast route and go beyond Wild Zone 2. Once you hit the edge of the map, you’ll actually need to run left (confusing, I know – the map can be tricky sometimes) and then go straight. You’ll see the Racine Construction building – it’s pretty hard to miss once you’re in the right area.
Inside the Building: Once you’re inside Racine Construction, head to the right into the garage area. You’ll find two NPCs there – the one on the left is your guy! He’s the merchant who sells all the special evolution items, including our precious Metal Coat.
The Cost: Each Metal Coat will set you back 4,980 Pokedollars. Now, I know what you’re thinking – that’s pretty pricey! But here’s the amazing part: this guy has unlimited stock. That’s right, unlimited! So if you’ve got the cash, you can buy as many Metal Coats as your heart desires. I personally stocked up when I found him, because you never know when you’ll want to evolve multiple Scythers or Onixes.
Important Note: You’ll need to progress pretty far in the main story before this merchant becomes available. Most players report that he shows up around Main Mission 35 or after you’ve completed the credits. So don’t worry if you can’t find him right away – just keep pushing through those main missions!
Method 2: Side Mission 101 – “Steadfast as Steel”
If you’re like me and prefer earning your items rather than buying them, then side missions are your best friend. Side Mission 101, titled “Steadfast as Steel,” is one of two quests that will reward you with a Metal Coat.
How to Unlock: This side mission typically becomes available when you reach around Main Mission 35 in the story. I remember stumbling upon it when I was exploring the southeast part of Lumiose City, just minding my own business and trying to complete my Pokedex.
What You Need to Do: The mission itself is pretty straightforward. You’ll need to battle an MZ Grunt who specializes in Steel-type Pokemon. Now, I won’t lie – this battle can be tough if you’re not prepared. Steel types have a ton of resistances, so make sure you bring some fire, fighting, or ground types to handle them.
When I did this mission, I brought my trusty Fire-type starter (you know, the one that’s been with me since the beginning) and it made things so much easier. The MZ Grunt’s team isn’t huge, but they pack a punch if you’re not ready for them.
The Reward: Once you defeat the MZ Grunt, she’ll reward you with a Metal Coat. It’s as simple as that! I love how the game sometimes just gives you these evolution items as quest rewards – it feels much more satisfying than just buying them.
Method 3: Side Mission 114 – “A Feather from Skarmory”
This is probably my favorite method of getting a Metal Coat, mainly because it involves one of my favorite Steel-type Pokemon: Skarmory. Side Mission 114, “A Feather from Skarmory,” is another quest that will net you this valuable evolution item.
How to Unlock: This mission appears a bit later in the game – most players report finding it after they’ve completed the main story or are very close to the end. The quest giver is usually located northeast of Wild Zone Area 17. I actually missed this one on my first playthrough and had to backtrack, so keep your eyes peeled!
The Mission Details: A chef will approach you and ask for a Skarmory feather. Simple enough, right? Well, not exactly. You’ll need to head to Wild Area 17 and make your way to the roof. Once you’re up there, look for a red glint – that’s your interaction point.
When I did this, I spent way too much time running around the wrong area before I realized I needed to go to the roof. Pro tip: look for ladders or climbing points to get up there!
The Battle: Interacting with the red glint will trigger a battle with a wild Skarmory. Now, Skarmory is no pushover – it’s a Steel/Flying type with some pretty solid stats. I recommend bringing Electric, Fire, or Rock types to handle it efficiently. I used my Electric-type Pokemon and made quick work of it, but I can see how this battle could be challenging if you’re not prepared.
Getting the Feather: After you defeat the Skarmory, you’ll automatically collect the feather it drops. Take this back to the chef who gave you the mission, and voila! He’ll reward you with a Metal Coat for your troubles.
Complete Metal Coat Location Comparison
To make things easier for you, I’ve put together this handy comparison table of all the methods to get Metal Coat in Pokemon Legends Z-A:
| Method | Location | Cost/Requirement | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase | Racine Construction (SE Lumiose) | 4,980 Pokedollars | Post-Main Mission 35 | Unlimited stock, merchant on left side |
| Side Mission 101 | Southeast Lumiose | Defeat MZ Grunt | Around Main Mission 35 | Battle against Steel-type specialist |
| Side Mission 114 | NE of Wild Zone 17 | Complete Skarmory feather quest | Post-game/late game | Requires roof battle with Skarmory |
How to Use Metal Coat for Evolution?
Now that you’ve got your Metal Coat (or multiple Metal Coats, if you went the purchase route like I did), you’re probably wondering how to actually use it. I remember being confused about this at first, so let me break it down for you.
For Scyther → Scizor:
- Give the Metal Coat to your Scyther to hold
- Find a trading partner (this is the tricky part!)
- Trade your Scyther while it’s holding the Metal Coat
- The trade will trigger the evolution into Scizor
- Have your trading partner trade Scizor back to you
For Onix → Steelix:
- Give the Metal Coat to your Onix to hold
- Find a trading partner
- Trade your Onix while it’s holding the Metal Coat
- The evolution will trigger during the trade
- Have your trading partner trade Steelix back to you
Important Trading Tips: I learned this the hard way – make sure you’re trading with someone you trust! There are unfortunately scammers out there who might try to keep your newly evolved Pokemon. I always trade with friends or use reputable trading communities when I need to do evolution trades.
Also, both Scizor and Steelix have Mega Evolutions available in Pokemon Legends Z-A, so getting these evolved forms opens up even more possibilities for your team!
My Personal Experience and Tips
After spending way too many hours playing Pokemon Legends Z-A (not that I’m complaining!), I’ve picked up some tips that I think will help you on your Metal Coat hunting journey:
Save Your Money: If you’re planning to buy multiple Metal Coats from Racine Construction, start saving your Pokedollars early. I wish I had known about this merchant sooner – I would have saved up instead of spending all my money on Poke Balls and potions!
Progress the Story: I know it’s tempting to try to get everything right away, but honestly, just focus on the main missions first. Most of the good stuff, including Metal Coat access, opens up after Main Mission 35 anyway.
Check Wild Area 17 Regularly: The Skarmory for Side Mission 114 can be a bit finicky about appearing. I found that checking the area at different times of day helped me trigger the encounter more reliably.
Stock Up on Evolution Items: Once you find the Racine Construction merchant, consider buying other evolution items too. I bought several of each type, and it’s made completing my Pokedex so much easier.
Use Type Advantages: For both side missions, having the right type advantages makes things so much easier. Fire types for the Steel battles, Electric types for Skarmory – you get the idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I first get a Metal Coat in Pokemon Legends Z-A?
From my experience, the earliest you can get a Metal Coat is around Main Mission 35. Both the Racine Construction merchant and Side Mission 101 become available around this point in the story.
Can I get multiple Metal Coats?
Absolutely! If you buy them from Racine Construction, you can get unlimited Metal Coats for 4,980 Pokedollars each. You can also complete the side missions multiple times if they reset, but I haven’t tested that yet.
Do I need to trade to evolve Pokemon with Metal Coat?
Yes, unfortunately. Both Scyther and Onix need to be traded while holding the Metal Coat to evolve into Scizor and Steelix respectively. Make sure you trade with someone trustworthy!
Is there a way to get Metal Coat without progressing the story?
Not really. All the methods I’ve found require you to be pretty far in the main story. The earliest access is around Main Mission 35, so you’ll need to put in some story time first.
Can I find Metal Coat in the wild or as a random drop?
From everything I’ve seen and experienced, Metal Coat doesn’t appear as a random wild item or drop in Pokemon Legends Z-A. You’ll need to use one of the three methods I’ve outlined above.
Final Thoughts
Finding Metal Coat in Pokemon Legends Z-A might seem daunting at first, but once you know where to look, it’s actually pretty straightforward. Whether you prefer buying it, battling for it, or completing quests, there’s a method that will work for your playstyle.
I personally love how Game Freak has made evolution items more accessible in this game. Being able to buy unlimited Metal Coats is a game-changer for completionists like me who want to evolve multiple Pokemon of the same species.
Remember to progress through the main story, save your money, and don’t be afraid to ask for help with those evolution trades. Before you know it, you’ll have your very own Scizor and Steelix dominating the battle scene!
Happy hunting, trainers! And may your Pokedex completion journey be filled with exciting discoveries and powerful evolutions.
Want more Pokemon Legends Z-A guides? Check out our other articles on evolution items, Mega Stones, and completing your Pokedex. Don’t forget to bookmark this page for future reference – you never know when you’ll need another Metal Coat!