Metal Coat

Overview

A Metal Coat is a Johto evolution item used to evolve Onix into Steelix and Scyther into Scizor. Under normal conditions, each evolution consumes one Metal Coat and 50 Candy for that Pokémon’s family. While both Steelix and Scizor can later Mega Evolve, the Metal Coat only pays for the permanent evolution; Mega Evolution requires Mega Energy instead.

How to get it

• Spin PokéStops and Gyms, or open Gifts from friends, for a small chance at receiving a Metal Coat once you reach Trainer Level 10.

• Spin a PokéStop on your seventh consecutive daily streak for a guaranteed evolution item from the five original Johto items, though a Metal Coat is not guaranteed specifically.

• Complete Field, Timed, or Special Research tasks—such as Step 4 of A Ripple in Time and Step 6 of Let's GO, Meltan—which can award a Metal Coat directly.

How to use it

1. Open the Pokémon’s details and choose the evolution button showing this item.

2. Check the target and Candy cost, then confirm. The item and Candy are consumed together.

Worth knowing

Steelix and Scizor can later Mega Evolve, but the Metal Coat only pays for their ordinary evolution. Mega Energy is a separate resource.

Using a Metal Coat does not change a Pokémon’s IVs, so check your appraisal before evolving. If you are working on the Let's GO, Meltan Special Research, hold onto the Metal Coat awarded at Step 6 so you have it ready for the Step 7 task to evolve a Scyther.

Compatible evolutions

Candy costs apply to the relevant Pokémon family and show standard, undiscounted amounts. Purified Onix and Purified Scyther receive a 10% Candy discount (reducing the cost to 45 Candy), though each still requires one Metal Coat.

The seven-day spin streak

Once you reach Trainer Level 10, ordinary PokéStop and Gym spins—as well as opening Gifts—have a small chance of awarding one of the five original Johto evolution items: Sun Stone, King's Rock, Metal Coat, Dragon Scale, or Upgrade. Spinning a PokéStop on your seventh consecutive daily streak guarantees one item from that pool of five, though you cannot choose which one drops. Field, Timed, and Special Research tasks can award a Metal Coat directly.

Unlike the main-series games where Onix and Scyther evolve when traded holding a Metal Coat, Pokémon GO consumes the Metal Coat and Candy directly when you tap the Evolution button.

Steelix, Scizor, and their Mega Evolutions

Onix changes from Rock and Ground to Steel and Ground when it becomes Steelix. Scyther changes from Bug and Flying to Bug and Steel when it becomes Scizor. Those type changes alter their weaknesses and resistances, so the evolved Pokémon may fill a different role in your team.

The Metal Coat is consumed once for the permanent species evolution. Later Mega Evolution into Mega Steelix or Mega Scizor requires 200 Mega Energy the first time and follows standard Mega cooldown rules without consuming another Metal Coat. Any Steelix or Scizor you catch directly from Raids, Research, or the wild never needs a Metal Coat to Mega Evolve.

Using a Metal Coat on Scyther always produces Scizor, never Kleavor. Although Scyther can evolve into the Bug- and Rock-type Kleavor in certain main-series games, Kleavor is only obtainable directly through Raids, Research, or event encounters in Pokémon GO and cannot be evolved from Scyther.