Metal Coat not dropping in Pokémon GO? Learn why it’s so rare, how to fix the drop issue, and the best ways to get Metal Coat faster without wasting spins.
You’re staring at the Evolve button, Candy count finally green, finger ready—and the game stops you cold with one missing requirement: Metal Coat. No shop prompt. No hint. Just that greyed-out evolution preview. If that irritation feels familiar, you’re exactly where most experienced players hit friction. Metal Coat isn’t difficult because it’s hidden; it’s difficult because it sits behind RNG and consistency, and the game never explains that clearly on-screen.
This walkthrough stays grounded in what you’re actually seeing, spinning, and checking in real time, so you know what’s worth doing—and what’s wasting your patience.
What Is Metal Coat in Pokémon GO and Why Is It So Hard to Get?
As you scroll through your item bag, you’ll notice Metal Coat listed under Evolution Items, not consumables you can grind directly. Metal Coat is a Johto-era special evolution item, and unlike Candy, you cannot earn it by catching Pokémon, setting buddies, or walking distance.
Right now, only two evolutions in the entire game require Metal Coat, which is why the system feels so punishing when you don’t have one.
Metal Coat Evolution Requirements
| Pokémon | Evolution | Requirement |
| Onix | Steelix | 1 Metal Coat + 50 Onix Candy |
| Scyther | Scizor | 1 Metal Coat + 50 Scyther Candy |
If the Metal Coat isn’t in your inventory, evolution simply does not happen. There is no alternative path, no temporary bypass, and no event trick that removes the requirement. That hard stop is intentional design, and once you understand that, the rest of the grind starts to make sense.
All Ways to Get Metal Coat in Pokémon GO (What Actually Works)
When you’re trying to solve scarcity, accuracy matters more than optimism. Some methods genuinely move the needle. Others are pure community myth.
Quick Reference: Where to Find Metal Coat
| Method | Probability | Notes |
| 7-Day Streak | High | Guaranteed Evolution Item (Random type) |
| Field Research | Medium | Only specific tasks (“Evolve a Pokémon”) |
| Routes | Medium | End-of-route rewards |
| Standard Spins | Very Low (~1%) | Pure RNG luck |
| Gifts | Zero | Never drops from Gifts |
| PvP Battles | Zero | Drops Sinnoh Stones instead |
Is the 7-Day PokéStop Spin Streak the Best Way to Get Metal Coat?
As you open your Today View, you’ll see the flame icon tracking your Daily Spin Streak. This mechanic is the closest thing Pokémon GO gives you to reliability. When you spin at least one PokéStop or Gym every day for seven consecutive days, the seventh-day spin guarantees an evolution item.
Here’s the part the game never clarifies clearly: the evolution item is guaranteed, but Metal Coat is not. When that reward drops, it pulls from the Johto evolution item loot pool. You might see Metal Coat, but you might just as easily see King’s Rock, Sun Stone, Dragon Scale, or Up-Grade. That randomness is why some weeks feel amazing and others feel like a waste.
Still, if you’re serious about farming Metal Coat, this streak is non-negotiable. Missing a single day resets progress completely, which is why experienced players treat that daily spin like a login requirement rather than optional play.
Can Completing “Routes” Award Metal Coat?
Yes, this is the newest method added to the game.
As you explore the “Routes” tab (introduced recently), you can follow curated paths created by other players. Completing a Route now has a chance to drop rewards from a unique loot pool that includes Evolution Items like Metal Coat.
- How it works: Walk a Route from start to finish. When you complete it, you will receive a bundle of rewards on-screen.
- Mateo’s Gift Exchange: At the end of a Route, you may encounter the NPC Mateo. While his gift exchange focuses on 7km Eggs and Postcards, the Route completion itself is where the Metal Coat drop chance lies. This serves as a great alternative to standard spinning because you can repeat Routes daily.
Can You Get Metal Coat by Spinning PokéStops and Gyms Normally?
Yes—but this is where frustration usually sets in.
As you spin PokéStops and Gyms throughout the day, every single spin has a very low chance—roughly around one percent—to drop an evolution item. When that rare drop happens, the specific item is random. That’s why you can spin dozens, sometimes hundreds, of stops and see nothing relevant.
As you move between Stops, you may notice Gyms giving slightly more items overall, especially when controlled by your team (Team Bonus). That extra volume helps marginally, but it does not increase Metal Coat odds directly. The loot pool stays the same.
This method works through volume alone. It’s normal to feel unlucky here. RNG doesn’t remember your past spins, and persistence—not strategy—does most of the work.
Which Field Research Tasks Can Give Metal Coat Right Now?
When you tap the binoculars icon and open the Field Research tab, this is where timing matters more than effort. Metal Coat can appear as a reward, but only from specific tasks, and those tasks rotate monthly or seasonally.
Current Season Update (January 2026): We are currently in the “Precious Paths” Season (running until March 3, 2026). During this season, look specifically for the task “Evolve a Pokémon” or “Use an item to evolve a Pokémon.” These historically have the highest chance of rewarding a Metal Coat in this rotation.
As you scan your active research, pay close attention to tasks involving evolution actions or multi-stop spins. Some rotations include Metal Coat directly. Others don’t include it at all. Deleting tasks blindly is one of the most common ways players slow themselves down without realizing it.
Before committing to a grind, always check what the current research reward pool looks like. When Metal Coat is in rotation, this becomes one of the least painful methods available.
Can Gifts from Friends Drop Metal Coat? (Myth Explained Clearly)
You might hear players swear they got Metal Coat from a Gift. As frustrating as this sounds, it’s simply not how the system works.
Standard Gifts do not drop evolution items.
As you open Gifts, you’ll see Poké Balls, Stardust, Potions, Revives, and Eggs. That’s it. No Metal Coat, no King’s Rock, no Johto items at all. If you’ve been opening Gifts daily hoping for Metal Coat, that explains why progress feels nonexistent.
Do Events Increase Your Chances of Getting Metal Coat?
Yes, and this is where patience finally pays off.
During certain limited-time events, Pokémon GO increases either spin rewards, evolution item frequency, or Johto-related drops. Community Days, anniversary events, and Johto-themed celebrations are especially effective windows.
Upcoming Opportunities (Jan 2026): Keep an eye on the “High Zaptitude” Event (Jan 13–18, 2026). While this event focuses on Electric-types (like the debut of Shiny Tadbulb), events often bring “Event Field Research” that requires catching specific types. If an “Evolve” task appears in the event pool, it is a prime time to farm.
If you’ve ever noticed Metal Coat dropping casually during an event after weeks of nothing, that’s not coincidence. Events compress the grind. Outside events, progress is slow. During events, consistency suddenly feels rewarded.
What Is the Best Way to Farm Metal Coat in Pokémon GO Without Burning Out?
At this point, you’re not looking for miracles—you’re looking for efficiency.
The fastest realistic approach is stacking systems. You spin every day to protect your 7-day streak, you spin both PokéStops and Gyms whenever convenient, you actively check Field Research rewards before deleting tasks, you walk a local Route once a day, and you prioritize playtime during events. You also keep your item bag clear so drops aren’t blocked silently.
One critical clarification saves a lot of wasted time: battling does nothing for Metal Coat. PvP (Go Battle League), Team GO Rocket, and raids pull from completely different loot pools (often rewarding Sinnoh or Unova Stones instead). If you’re battling more hoping for Metal Coat, you’re farming the wrong system entirely.
Which Pokémon Need Metal Coat to Evolve in Pokémon GO?
How Do You Evolve Scyther Into Scizor Using Metal Coat?
As you tap into Scyther’s profile, the evolution screen will show exactly what the game expects: 1 Metal Coat and 50 Scyther Candy. If either is missing, evolution stays locked. Once evolved, Scizor becomes a Bug/Steel-type Pokémon with strong PvP and raid value, which is why this item gate exists in the first place.
The most common mistake here is assuming Candy alone is enough. The UI doesn’t warn you ahead of time—you only see the requirement when you’re ready to evolve.
How Do You Evolve Onix Into Steelix Using Metal Coat?
Onix works the same way. When you open its evolution preview, the game checks for 1 Metal Coat and 50 Onix Candy. Shadow Onix follows the same rules. If the item is present, evolution proceeds normally. If not, you’re stopped immediately.
Steelix’s bulk makes it valuable in certain Great League PvP formats, which is why this evolution remains locked behind RNG instead of a simple Candy grind.
How Rare Is Metal Coat in Pokémon GO Really?
Metal Coat feels rare because it’s governed entirely by RNG (Random Number Generator).
Every spin is independent. Your last hundred spins don’t improve your next one. Another player’s luck doesn’t affect yours. When someone gets Metal Coat quickly, that’s variance—not a secret trick.
Understanding this removes a lot of emotional friction. The system isn’t punishing you personally; it’s simply indifferent.
Why Aren’t You Getting Metal Coat? Common Player Mistakes
Most stalls come from invisible errors. Breaking streaks resets your best odds. Spinning only one familiar PokéStop limits volume. Ignoring Gyms cuts potential drops. Deleting research tasks too quickly removes one of the few targeted sources. Expecting guarantees sets the wrong expectations entirely.
Once you correct these behaviors, progress becomes slow—but predictable.
How Is Metal Coat Different From Sinnoh Stones and Other Evolution Items?
This distinction explains a lot of confusion.
Evolution Item Loot Pool Comparison
| Item Type | Where to Find It |
| Johto Items (Metal Coat, Sun Stone, etc.) | PokéStops, 7-Day Streaks, Routes, Field Research |
| Sinnoh Stones | PvP Battles, Team GO Rocket Leaders, Research Breakthroughs |
| Unova Stones | Team GO Rocket Leaders, Research Breakthroughs |
Metal Coat belongs to the Johto evolution item pool. Sinnoh Stones and Unova Stones come from PvP battles and Team GO Rocket Leaders. These systems do not overlap.
If you’re battling for Metal Coat, you’re pulling from the wrong loot table.
FAQs About Metal Coat in Pokémon GO
Can you buy Metal Coat in Pokémon GO?
No. It is not available in the In-Game Shop.
Is Metal Coat guaranteed on the 7th-day spin?
No. You’re guaranteed an evolution item, but the specific item is random.
Can Metal Coat be traded to another player?
No. Evolution items cannot be traded.
Can Gifts ever drop Metal Coat?
No. Gifts do not include evolution items.
Can Shadow Pokémon use Metal Coat?
Yes. Shadow Scyther and Shadow Onix can evolve as long as you meet the item and Candy requirements.
Metal Coat isn’t designed to reward grinding harder. It rewards showing up consistently, understanding loot pools, and playing smarter during rotations and events. Once you align your actions with how the system actually behaves, the frustration eases—and the item eventually drops.
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