Pokemon Scarlet and Violet retains the familiar gameplay of battling and catching unique creatures, though Game Freak has introduced a number of new features to freshen up the experience. For many longtime players, the biggest change to the formula is the fact that the game no longer forces players into a specific path. While there is an optimal route for earning badgets, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet features a more open campaign, letting players tackle content how they want.
In addition, Pokemon players can explore the vast land of Paldea, a region based on real life locations set in the Iberian Peninsula of Spain, Andorra, and Portugal. Unlike previous mainline Pokemon titles, Paldea is an open world, letting then go anywhere they want instead of down specific routes to battle perfectly placed NPC trainers. Along with various new and returning Pokemon to find, players will see plenty of items placed throughout the land, some of which is harder to come by regularly.
One such item in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is the Metal Coat, a returning resource that is very important in the evolution process as well as boosting Steel types. Here is where players can find it as well as what it specifically does.
What is Metal Coat?
Longtime Pokemon players will likely be familiar with the Metal Coat item as it is very important for a couple of reasons. It's a held item that essentially boosts the power of steel type moves, making it ideal to give to a Pokemon that either is a steel type or can use steel type moves to hit much harder, especially against Fire, Fighting, and Ground types.
However, Metal Coat is also required for evolving certain Pokemon. In terms of Scarlet and Violet, players who want to evolve Scyther into its Bug and Steel form of Scizor will also need to track down a Metal Coat. Once in possession, give the Scyther the Metal Coat to hold and then trading it will cause it to evolve. Obviously, it is advised to trade Scyther to a friend, so it can be passed back right after once the evolution has finished.
Where to Find Metal Coat
There are two different ways to obtain a Metal Coat within Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. For those feeling a bit lucky, they can head to the auctions happening at Porto Marinada where the Metal Coat can sometimes be found. While the items on sale here are random, it is possible to win the item for less money than it typically sells for. Players can also change the time on their Switch by two hours to force an item reset to try again.
The best option for most players would be to visit the Delibird Presents store in the electric town of Levincia. Head to the northern side of the town and the shop is near the middle of this section. Select the Battle Items option and the Metal Coat will appear for 3,000 Poke Dollars or League Points.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.