How to Get Metal Coat Pokemon Go: Unlocking the Secret to Steel-Type Evolution

Metal Coat remains one of those peculiar evolution items that drives Pokemon Go trainers slightly mad with anticipation. Picture this: you've finally caught that perfect Onix with stellar IVs, and you're ready to transform it into the formidable Steelix. But wait—you need that elusive Metal Coat, and suddenly you're spinning every PokeStop like your life depends on it, wondering if the game's RNG gods have forsaken you entirely.

Let me share something that took me embarrassingly long to figure out. When Pokemon Go first introduced evolution items back in 2017, I spent weeks convinced that Metal Coats only dropped from PokeStops near construction sites or industrial areas. Turns out I was completely wrong, but the placebo effect had me walking past every hardware store in town for months.

The Real Deal About Metal Coat Drop Rates

Evolution items in Pokemon Go operate on what I call the "patience tax system." Metal Coats have approximately a 0.14% drop rate from regular PokeStop spins. Yes, you read that correctly—that's roughly one in every 714 spins. But before you throw your phone across the room, there's more to this story.

The seven-day streak bonus changes everything. On your seventh consecutive day of spinning a PokeStop, you're guaranteed an evolution item. Now, it might not be a Metal Coat—you could end up with a King's Rock or Dragon Scale instead—but at least you're rolling the dice with better odds. Think of it as a weekly lottery ticket where you're guaranteed to win something, just maybe not the exact prize you wanted.

I've tracked my own drops over three years (yes, I'm that person), and Metal Coats seem to appear slightly more frequently than Sun Stones but less often than Up-Grades. Whether this is intentional game design or just my personal RNG experience remains a mystery that keeps me up at night sometimes.

Strategic Spinning and Location Myths

Here's where things get interesting. Despite what your local Pokemon Go Facebook group might claim, there's zero evidence that certain PokeStops drop specific evolution items more frequently. I've tested this theory extensively—spinning the same "lucky" stop 500 times versus random stops throughout the city. The results? Statistically identical drop rates.

What does matter is volume. If you want a Metal Coat, you need to become a PokeStop spinning machine. Dense urban areas with clusters of stops are your best friend. I discovered a route through my local university campus with 23 PokeStops in a 15-minute walking loop. On a good day with a Go Plus or Pokeball Plus doing the spinning for you, that's nearly 100 spins per hour.

But let's be honest—not everyone lives near a PokeStop paradise. Rural players, I feel your pain. Your best bet is to make those daily spins count and never, ever break your streak. Mark your calendar, set phone reminders, do whatever it takes to hit that seventh-day bonus.

Alternative Methods That Actually Work

Field research tasks occasionally offer Metal Coats as rewards, though these are frustratingly rare. The tasks usually involve catching specific Steel or Rock-type Pokemon, which makes thematic sense at least. During certain events, Niantic has increased the appearance rate of these tasks, so keep your eyes peeled during Steel-type focused events.

Trading presents another avenue, though it requires finding someone willing to part with their Metal Coat. Most seasoned players hoard these items like dragons guarding gold, but newer players who don't yet have Onix or Scyther might be convinced to trade. I once traded three Metal Coats for a shiny Magikarp—probably not my wisest decision, but that golden fish was calling my name.

Gift opening from friends can also yield evolution items, though the drop rate is even lower than PokeStops. Still, if you're maintaining 200 active friendships and opening 30 gifts daily, those tiny percentages start adding up. It's like compound interest, but for Pokemon evolution items.

The Pokemon That Need Your Precious Metal Coat

Only two Pokemon currently require Metal Coat for evolution in Pokemon Go: Onix evolves into Steelix, and Scyther transforms into Scizor. Both evolutions also require 50 candies, which honestly feels like the easier part of the equation once you're hunting for that Metal Coat.

Steelix becomes a defensive powerhouse with impressive bulk, while Scizor turns into a formidable Bug/Steel attacker. In my experience, Scizor tends to see more action in both raids and PvP, particularly in Ultra League where its typing and moveset shine. Steelix has its moments in Great League, where its massive defense stat can frustrate opponents to no end.

Here's a pro tip I learned the hard way: always check your Pokemon's IVs before using that hard-earned Metal Coat. I evolved my first Scyther immediately after getting my first Metal Coat, only to catch a perfect IV Scyther two days later. The regret still haunts me during quiet moments.

Timing Your Hunt

Certain events dramatically increase your chances of obtaining Metal Coats. The annual Steel-type events usually feature boosted evolution item drops, and holiday events sometimes include guaranteed evolution items from gifts. I've noticed that major game updates occasionally reset drop rates temporarily—though this might be confirmation bias talking.

Community Days present unique opportunities. While the featured Pokemon might not need Metal Coat, the increased PokeStop spin rewards during these three-hour windows can yield surprising results. My personal record is three evolution items (including one Metal Coat) during a single Community Day.

Weather also plays a subtle role. During snowy or partly cloudy weather, when Steel-types receive weather boosts, I swear Metal Coat drops feel slightly more common. Again, this could be pure superstition, but after 50,000+ PokeStop spins, you start noticing patterns—real or imagined.

Managing Expectations and Inventory

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Metal Coat hoarding. Once you finally get a few, the temptation to save them "just in case" becomes overwhelming. I currently have 17 Metal Coats sitting in my inventory, and I can't adequately explain why. It's not like Niantic is suddenly going to release ten new Pokemon that need them.

My advice? Use them. Seriously. The game is meant to be enjoyed, and having a powerful Scizor or Steelix enhances your playing experience far more than digital hoarding. Keep maybe two or three in reserve if you must, but don't be like me with my embarrassing stockpile.

Storage management becomes crucial when you're spinning hundreds of stops daily hunting for evolution items. Regular inventory cleanups are essential. I've developed a system where I dump excess Pokeballs (keeping only Ultra Balls) and maintain strict limits on potions and revives. This maximizes space for the good stuff while maintaining enough supplies for daily play.

The Psychological Game

Hunting for Metal Coats tests your patience in ways that other game elements don't. It's pure RNG with no skill component, which can be maddening for goal-oriented players. I've watched friends quit the game entirely over evolution item frustration, which seems extreme but understandable when you're on your 1,000th spin without seeing that specific item you need.

The key is shifting your mindset. Instead of actively hunting for Metal Coats, make PokeStop spinning a passive part of your gameplay. Use a Go Plus device, spin while commuting, make it automatic. The moment you stop actively wanting it is usually when it appears—though I realize how annoyingly zen that sounds.

Some players swear by lucky rituals. One friend only spins PokeStops clockwise. Another insists that spinning exactly at the top of each hour increases drop rates. These superstitions are almost certainly nonsense, but if they make the grind more bearable, who am I to judge? I personally name each Metal Coat after heavy metal bands, because why not add some personality to pixels?

Final Thoughts on the Metal Coat Marathon

After years of playing and more Metal Coats than I care to admit, here's what I've learned: persistence pays off, but obsession doesn't. The game's RNG will eventually favor you, whether it takes a week or a month. Focus on enjoying other aspects of Pokemon Go while passively accumulating spins, and that Metal Coat will appear when you least expect it.

Remember that Pokemon Go is ultimately about the journey, not just the destination. Some of my best memories involve the ridiculous lengths I've gone to for evolution items—like the time I convinced my entire family to detour through a college campus during a road trip because I needed to spin PokeStops for my streak. They still haven't forgiven me, but I got a Metal Coat that day, so who's the real winner?

Whether you're hunting for your first Metal Coat or your fifteenth, remember that every trainer goes through this same frustration. It's a shared experience that bonds the community, gives us something to complain about in Discord servers, and makes that eventual drop feel all the sweeter. Happy hunting, and may the RNG odds be ever in your favor.

Authoritative Sources:

Silph Road. "Pokemon GO Evolution Item Drop Rates Study." The Silph Road Research Group, 2021. thesilphroad.com/science/evolution-item-drop-rates

Niantic, Inc. "Pokemon GO: Evolution Items and Special Evolutions." Pokemon GO Official Support, 2023. niantic.helpshift.com/hc/en/6-pokemon-go/faq/28-evolution-items

Pokemon GO Hub. "Metal Coat: Evolution Item Analysis and Drop Rate Statistics." GO Hub Database, 2023. pokemongohub.net/post/guide/metal-coat-evolution-item-guide

Gamepress. "Pokemon GO Evolution Items: Comprehensive Analysis." Gamepress Pokemon GO Wiki, 2023. gamepress.gg/pokemongo/evolution-items