All Hands on Deck: A New Era for Gielinor
For the first time since its launch over a decade ago, Old School RuneScape is about to change forever. In what developer Jagex is calling a “historic moment,” the game is set to receive its first-ever new skill: Sailing. After three long years of design, polling, and intense community collaboration, players will finally be able to take to the high seas on November 19, 2025. This isn’t just an update; it’s the biggest addition to the game in its history, and the race to level 99 is officially back on.
For a game that prides itself on preserving a classic era of MMOs, adding a new skill is a massive undertaking. But this isn’t a top-down decision. The Sailing skill is the direct result of the game’s unique player-polled development process, beating out other concepts like Shamanism and Taming to become the new frontier for adventurers in Gielinor.
What is the Sailing Skill?
Sailing is more than just a new way to get from point A to point B. Described by the developers as a ‘project of projects,’ it’s a massive expansion that fundamentally changes the scope of the game. The core of the skill involves owning, customizing, and upgrading your very own ship. As you level up your Sailing skill, you’ll be able to navigate to previously unreachable parts of the world. In fact, the introduction of the open seas will expand the playable map size by a staggering 190%.
The core gameplay loop is designed to feel familiar to OSRS players. Just like clicking a tree to chop it, you’ll earn XP by interacting with facilities on your boat, such as trimming the sails for a speed boost. But it gets much deeper than that.
New Ways to Train and Play
Jagex has designed several methods for training the skill to suit different playstyles:
- Port Tasks: Use your ship to help NPCs around Gielinor. You can take on Courier Tasks to deliver cargo or accept Bounty Tasks to hunt down threats at sea. This active training method sends you all over the newly expanded world.
- Shipwreck Salvaging: For those who enjoy a more relaxed, AFK-friendly activity, you can equip your boat with a Salvaging Hook and recover valuable materials from sunken ships. It’s the perfect activity for when you’re watching a stream on your second monitor.
A Skill Woven into the World
A major focus for the developers was ensuring that Sailing felt like a natural extension of Gielinor, not a detached minigame. To achieve this, Sailing is deeply integrated with over ten other skills. You’ll need Construction, Crafting, and Smithing to build and upgrade your ship. The new waters will introduce new fish to catch and cook, and new marine ingredients to create powerful potions with Herblore. This deep integration is designed to make Sailing feel like it has always been a part of the game.
The update also brings a treasure trove of new content. At launch, there will be over 30 new islands to discover, some with their own dungeons. You’ll face new sea-faring monsters like krakens and sharks, hunt for pirate treasure, and embark on a new main questline featuring a new race called the Tortugans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- When is the Sailing skill being released?
Sailing is scheduled to launch on November 19, 2025. - Is this really the first new skill for Old School RuneScape?
Yes. While the main version of RuneScape has added many skills over the years, this is the very first new skill to be added to the Old School version since it launched in 2013. - How was the Sailing skill chosen?
The skill was chosen by the Old School RuneScape community through a series of polls, where it won out over other proposed skills like Taming and Shamanism. - What new content is coming with Sailing?
The update includes ship ownership and customization, a 190% map expansion, over 30 new islands, new training methods, new quests featuring the Tortugan race, new enemies, and deep integration with existing skills. - Will I have to engage with Sailing?
The developers have stated that while Sailing enhances the game, it won’t replace what players already love. It’s an optional skill, but its integration with other parts of the game will offer new goals and progression paths for those who choose to train it.
Conclusion
The arrival of Sailing marks a pivotal moment for Old School RuneScape. It’s a massive, ambitious expansion born from a unique collaboration between developers and their dedicated community. By opening up the oceans of Gielinor, Jagex is not just adding a new skill; they’re launching a new age of exploration and adventure. For veterans and newcomers alike, November 19th will be the start of a new journey, a fresh race to 99, and a chance to see a familiar world in a completely new light. The seas are calling.