OSRS New Skill 2024 Sailing Everything You Need to Know
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is set to make waves in 2025 with the introduction of its first new skill in nearly two decades: Sailing. Announced as the 24th skill after a community-driven polling process, Sailing promises to expand the seas of Gielinor, offering players a fresh way to explore, adventure, and train. This blog post dives deep into the details of the Sailing skill, its development journey, core mechanics, rewards, and what players can expect when it launches in autumn 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a new scaper, here’s everything you need to know about this exciting update.
The road to Sailing began with Jagex’s commitment to involve the OSRS community in shaping the game’s first new skill since Hunter in 2006. Unlike previous skill proposals like Artisan, Warding, or the 2015 Sailing pitch, this iteration of Sailing was crafted through extensive player feedback, ensuring it aligns with the community’s vision for OSRS.
Polling and Community Consultation
In December 2022, Jagex polled players on whether a new skill should be added, with over 80% voting in favor. This kicked off a multi-stage process outlined in Jagex’s Community Consultation blog. In early 2023, three skill pitches were proposed: Sailing, Taming, and Shamanism. Sailing emerged as the frontrunner, securing 36.4% of votes in the initial poll and 71.9% in the final lock-in poll on August 25, 2023.
- Community Feedback: Jagex used the New Skill Player Council Discord to gather input, hosting modcasts and Q&A sessions to refine Sailing’s design.
- Transparency: Regular updates, including blogs and livestreams, kept players informed, with milestones like the navigation prototype demo in May 2023.
From Pitch to Alpha
Sailing’s development progressed through iterative feedback loops. A technical alpha ran from March 20 to 26, 2025, allowing players to test early mechanics. Showcased at RuneFest 2025, the alpha focused on navigation and ship control, setting the stage for the full release planned for autumn 2025.
What is the Sailing Skill?
Sailing is an overworld expansion skill that lets players captain their own ships to explore Gielinor‘s oceans. Unlike instanced content, it integrates seamlessly with the existing world, offering activities like exploration, combat, and resource gathering. The skill emphasizes navigation as its core mechanic, supported by a graphical overhaul of the seas with coral reefs, currents, and dynamic weather.
Core Mechanics of Sailing
Navigating the seas is central to Sailing, but Jagex has reworked the traditional click-to-move system to feel natural on open water. The skill introduces:
- Dynamic Navigation: Players control ships using a unique pathfinding algorithm or a specialized interface, adapting to wind and currents.
- Weather Challenges: Dynamic winds and static currents affect sailing speed, with tougher conditions in end-game areas.
- Ship Customization: Start with basic vessels and upgrade to advanced ships with better cannons and ballistae.
Training Sailing
Sailing offers diverse training methods to suit different playstyles. Players can engage in:
- Exploration: Discover uncharted islands and hidden treasures.
- Combat: Engage in naval battles against pirates or sea monsters.
- Skilling: Activities like coral farming or fishing tie into existing skills.
- Quests: Complete seafaring missions for experience and rewards.
Most rewards and resources are untradeable, addressing community concerns about “buyable” skills, ensuring players must actively engage to progress.
Why Sailing Stands Out
Sailing isn’t just a new skill; it’s a transformative addition to OSRS, expanding the game world and offering unique gameplay. Here’s why it’s generating so much excitement:
Integration with Existing Skills
Sailing complements skills like Fishing, Woodcutting, and Crafting. For example, players might gather resources to upgrade ships or craft navigation tools, creating synergy without overshadowing other skills.
Exploration and Immersion
The skill opens up Gielinor‘s seas, introducing new areas like coral reefs and distant islands. The graphical overhaul enhances immersion, making every journey visually spectacular.
Variety of Playstyles
Whether you’re a PvM enthusiast, a skiller, or a quester, Sailing offers something for everyone. From battling sea monsters to delivering goods as a courier, the skill caters to diverse player goals.
Expected Rewards and Content
While Jagex has kept some details under wraps, Sailing’s reward space is designed to be robust and engaging. Based on blogs and modcasts, here’s what players can anticipate:
| Reward Type | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ship Upgrades | Unlock advanced vessels, cannons, and ballistae. | Improves navigation and combat efficiency. |
| Unique Items | New weapons, armor, or tools tied to seafaring. | Enhances PvM and skilling activities. |
| Exploration Rewards | Loot from uncharted islands or hidden treasures. | Encourages exploration and risk-taking. |
| Skilling Boosts | Bonuses for Fishing, Crafting, or other skills. | Integrates with existing skill training. |
Notable Activities
Sailing introduces a range of activities, including:
- Coral Farming: Harvest resources from ocean reefs.
- Bounties: Hunt down pirate ships for rewards.
- Navigational Challenges: Overcome storms or currents for XP.
These activities ensure Sailing remains engaging at all levels, from early training to end-game content.
What’s Next for Sailing and OSRS?
With the full release slated for autumn 2025, Jagex is focusing on polishing Sailing based on alpha feedback. The skill’s launch will coincide with a broader content roadmap, including the grandmaster quest The Blood Moon Rises in early 2026 and continued updates to Varlamore.
Future Updates
Jagex has hinted at post-launch content for Sailing, such as new sea regions or advanced ship upgrades. The skill’s open-world nature allows for future expansions without disrupting its core design.
- Community Involvement: Ongoing polls and modcasts will shape Sailing’s evolution.
- Balancing: Jagex aims to avoid power creep, ensuring Sailing rewards are fair but impactful.
Impact on OSRS
Sailing is poised to redefine OSRS by expanding the game world and offering new ways to play. It addresses the community’s desire for fresh content while preserving the nostalgic charm of Old School. For maxed players, it provides a new grind, while newcomers gain an accessible, versatile skill to explore.
Conclusion
The Sailing skill is a landmark update for Old School RuneScape, blending community-driven design with innovative gameplay. From navigating stormy seas to uncovering hidden treasures, Sailing offers endless possibilities for adventure. As the autumn 2025 release approaches, players can look forward to a skill that not only expands Gielinor but also strengthens the bond between Jagex and its community. Stay tuned to Jagex’s official news and the OSRS Wiki for the latest updates, and prepare to set sail!