Metal Coat in Pokémon GO: should you use Metal Coat on Steelix or Scizor?

USER GUIDE | Submitted by JovJov14 on March 11 2017

The Metal Coat dilemma

Say you were lucky enough to get a Metal Coat after your fingers have gone sore from spinning countless PokéStops. Who do you use it on? What does it do?

A Metal Coat is a special evolution item that turns a Scyther into a Scizor, and an Onix into a Steelix. If you only have one special evolution item, which one do you use it on?

Let me help you make that decision. First, let’s take a look at both Pokémon and see which one would be more beneficial to your team.

Scizor

Scizor is a mixed bag in Pokemon GO, mostly due to it’s moveset potential. Its’ Max CP is not too shabby and its stats are far better than Scyther ever had. However, lack of viable movesets and evolution anxiety make him rather unfavorable.

It’s advised using Scizor only with Fury Cutter bug and Iron Head steel as that moveset is well balanced and produces high DPS.

  • 2801 Max CP
  • steel and bug type
  • ATK 236, DEF 191, STA 140
  • Strong against: Ice, Grass, Psychic, and Dark type Pokémon.
  • Weak against: Fire type Pokémon.
  • Scizor would receive reduced damage from: Normal, Rock, Bug, Grass, Psychic, and Ice type moves.
  • It would take double extra damage from: Fire moves.

Scizor moves

212 ScizorBUG STEEL FURY CUTTER3IRON HEAD60

Move Type Power DPS STAB DPS
Bullet punchSTEEL Iron headSTEEL 9/60 20.80 26.00
Fury cutterBUG Iron headSTEEL 3/60 19.55 24.45
Bullet punchSTEEL X scissorBUG 9/45 19.05 23.85
Fury cutterBUG X scissorBUG 3/45 17.80 22.30
Bullet punchSTEEL Night slashDARK 9/50 16.35 17.60
Fury cutterBUG Night slashDARK 3/50 15.10 16.05

Steelix

Steelix has some challenges in Pokemon GO also, as it’s typing makes him vulnerable to several widespread attackers (Vaporeon, Poliwrath).

Its’ movepool is surprisingly good, as it has access to moves like Dragon Tail dragon and Earthquake ground, making him a considerable threat in Gyms.

  • 2439 Max CP
  • steel and ground type
  • ATK 148, DEF 333, STA 150
  • Strong against: Rock, Fairy, Poison, and Steel type Pokémon.
  • Weak against: Water and Fire type Pokémon.
  • Steelix would receive reduced damage from: Normal, Poison, Rock, Grass, Ice, Fairy, and Electric type moves.
  • It would take extra damage from: water moves
208 SteelixSTEEL GROUND DRAGON TAIL15EARTHQUAKE120

Move Type Power DPS STAB DPS
Iron tailSTEEL EarthquakeGROUND 15/120 23.45 29.35
Iron tailSTEEL Heavy slamSTEEL 15/70 23.45 29.35
Dragon tailDRAGON EarthquakeGROUND 15/120 23.45 27.65
Dragon tailDRAGON Heavy slamSTEEL 15/70 23.45 27.65
Iron tailSTEEL CrunchDARK 15/70 17.75 19.45
Dragon tailDRAGON CrunchDARK 15/70 17.75 17.75

This is just a personal observation, but I think this counts: Steelix is so large that when placed in a gym, the game lags a little bit. This makes it difficult to battle Steelix. It wastes the time of the challengers, thus making them forfeit.

The verdict

I totally agree with contributor Larian. You would want both for your Pokédex.

Luckily, I have both in my arsenal and I have used both these Pokémon in my attack and defense team. I’d say Scizor is best suited in my attack team, while Steelix is best suited in my defense team.

Here’s what I did. I brought out my trusty pen and paper and wrote down the stats of all my Onix and Scyther. Whoever has the best IV and stats gets to evolve. That lucky Pokémon was Scizor. I never had any regrets doing so.

Another factor you can consider is the availability of Scyther and Onix in your area; if there are more Scyther, get your best one and evolve it into Scizor. Collect Scyther candies and power it up. Wait for your next Metal Coat and then go for your Steelix. Same goes if there are more Onix in your area.

If you prefer to battle, get yourself a Scizor. If you want Pokecoins, get yourself a Steelix and show them not to mess with your gym.

Putting Scizor in my attack team was the best decision. Its ATK did very well in taking down gyms. Steelix was simply fantastic as a defender. With its high DEF, it’s not that easy to beat. It helped me hold the gym for a while and contributed in earning more coins for a few more days.

Help!

For this particular situation, I asked my girlfriend (no, she’s not imaginary) for help.

  • ME: “Hon, if you have one Metal coat, Would you evolve a Scyther into a Scizor, or an Onix into a Steelix?”
  • GF: “What? Who?”
  • ME: “I have 1 Metal Coat, which one should I choose to evolve? Scyther or Onix?”
  • GF: “Go with the Scyther one. Everyone knows Onix. It’s Brock’s Pokémon, right? Dare to be different.”

And there you have it trainers. A fresh perspective, with a little inspiration.

Best of luck, trainers!

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Zeroghan
Zeroghanhttps://pokemongohub.net/
Zeroghan started the Hub in July 2016 and hasn't had much sleep since. A lover of all things Pokémon, web development, and writing.

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