Pokemon Legends: Z-A has come out just a few days ago, and it has already divided the fanbase with some polarizing new features and the lack of traditional ones, or even because of its sometimes buggy or poor gameplay experience. With Pokemon Legends: Z-A being review-bombed, it's no wonder that there are some unhappy fans, be it due to some shiny Pokemon being virtually uncatchable as they disappear or due to the game's lengthy tutorial. The game is clearly not for everyone, and it may upset yet another slice of the population when they find out that Mega Steelix and Scizor are almost unobtainable.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Art Reveals Interesting Mega Scizor Detail

Pokemon Legends: Z-A's new Mega Evolutions can be post-game rewards in some cases, like with Pyrorite and Malamarite only becoming purchasable for Mega Shards after beating the game and getting Mega Zygarde. While this doesn't make a lot of sense, things get worse for fans of some of the most popular Megas out there. Mega Steelix and Scizor have always been some of the most beloved Megas in the series, but Pokemon Legends: Z-A doesn't give them much love for a few reasons:

  • Scyther is only available in Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Wild Zone 13, which is unlocked after Mission 14.
  • Onix is only available in Wild Zone 14, which is unlocked after Mission 19.
  • There is no Link Cable in the game, meaning that Scyther and Onix need to be traded while holding a Metal Coat to evolve.
  • Metal Coats are infinitely available in the post-game, but before that, players have to be Rank A (Mission 35) to unlock the side missions that award one each (Steadfast as Steel and A Feather from Skarmory).
  • In order to trade with other players, one has to pay for the Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
  • There are no reported instances of wild Steelix or Scizor so far in the game, meaning that they may be trade-only.
  • You can't transfer past versions of Steelix or Scizor to Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
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For all these reasons, it's apparent that Mega Steelix and Scizor are not actually easily obtainable, and they may be some of the last Pokemon one gets - if at all. This is particularly bad considering how early Steelixite and Scizorite can be obtained.

Steelixite and Scizorite Mega Stones in Pokemon Legends: Z-A can be purchased at the Stone Emporium, which is immediately available.

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I Am Already Heartbroken About My Shiny Pokemon Legends: Z-A Mega Evolution

Pokemon Legends: Z-A is breaking my heart after it gave me my favorite shiny Pokemon as my first, and I am now inconsolable.

By 

Pokemon Legends: Z-A Makes Getting Steelix and Scizor Unnecessarily Hard

Stone Emporium Pokemon Legends Z-A

Considering that a lot of the game's content is timegated behind completing story missions, it's no surprise that Onix and Scyther are not early catches, or that the Metal Coat is hard to get. However, it makes very little sense to have Steelixite and Scizorite available immediately at the Stone Emporium while Metal Coat is an end-game item, and trading is necessary to unlock Steelix and Scizor in the first place.

It's worth noting that one also needs Steelix and Scizor to complete Pokemon Legends: Z-A's Pokedex.

Shiny Mega Steelix and Scizor Are Virtually Impossible to Get in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Brock's Mega Steelix In The Anime

On top of that, shiny Pokemon in Pokemon Legends: Z-A can be trickier to trade, meaning that fans who want a shiny Mega Steelix or Scizor will have even more of a hard time getting them. This is because they need to find fellow players who have met all the necessary conditions to get Steelix and Scizor and have an NSO subscription, and they also need to be looking for a shiny evolution trade.

Granted, there are Pokemon Legends: Z-A trade codes now to simplify things, but with no chat and random people joining in on the trade, it's incredibly hard to find someone with the desire to trade a shiny Onix or Scyther with a Metal Coat. This is a very odd move for Game Freak, and it's unclear why Mega Steelix and Scizor in particular got the short end of the stick.

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Pokemon Legends: Z-A
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RPG
Adventure
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 67%
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Released
October 16, 2025
ESRB
Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
Developer(s)
Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
Publisher(s)
Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Genre(s)
RPG, Adventure