Old School RuneScape is setting sail on a brand-new adventure with the release of its first new skill in nearly two decades – Sailing. Scheduled for launch on November 19, 2025, this monumental update opens up vast oceanic exploration, new questlines, shipbuilding, and fresh challenges that promise to deepen the player experience.
The update introduces a sprawling uncharted ocean area filled with 30 islands to explore, each offering unique environments, quests, and dangers. Players start their journey at Port Sarim before venturing to Pandemonium, a welcoming port town where the Sailing skill unlocks and players learn the ropes.
Core Gameplay Features
Players captain their own ships, starting with simple rafts and upgrading to larger vessels complete with custom facilities and expanded cargo holds. Shipbuilding features allow upgrades to hulls, masts, sails, and adding cannons for protection, blending crafting with exploration.
Sailing integrates with existing skills by introducing new training methods alongside shipbuilding. Players chop newly introduced tree types, mine unique ores, fish for marine species, and cultivate coral nurseries for crafting powerful potions. The ocean isn’t just a travel route – it’s a resource-rich ecosystem that requires mastery across skills.
The update also brings new challenges such as navigating hazardous waters populated by sharks, orcas, frost dragons, and gryphons, plus brand-new enemy types. Exploration is rewarded with hidden treasures, rumors of lost shipwrecks, and NPC encounters, including the cryptic Tortugan species on The Great Conch Island.
Progression and Rewards
The race to level 99 Sailing includes unlocking ship upgrades that improve speed, durability, and capabilities. Mastering this skill grants access to new questlines and exclusive content unavailable by any other means.
Players who achieve max Sailing level earn the first ever Sailing Skill Cape, designed by community member Gentle Tractor, symbolizing mastery of this historic first addition to OSRS’s skill roster.
Community Reaction and Support
The OSRS community has eagerly anticipated Sailing for years, often joking about it as a long-running meme before it became reality. Jagex’s strong communication and detailed prepared-for-launch guides have helped build excitement and readiness among players.
Community hubs like the 2007Scape subreddit, official forums, and OSRS Discord have become spaces to share tips, strategies, and coordinate group explorations. Jagex has committed to supporting Sailing with ongoing updates, quality-of-life improvements, and events themed around the new content.
Looking Forward
With Sailing, Old School RuneScape marks one of its most ambitious expansions ever. The update not only adds hours of new content but also expands the game’s mechanics and world in meaningful ways, inviting both veterans and new players to embark on oceanic adventures.
Jagex plans several post-launch content drops tied to Sailing, including expanded questlines, new islands, and additional ship upgrades. The skill’s integration with existing systems promises to influence player progression and economy for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Sailing skill launch in Old School RuneScape?
Sailing officially launches on November 19, 2025, with servers expected to come online around 10:00 AM UTC. Players will need membership to access the new content.
What platforms support the Sailing update?
Old School RuneScape Sailing is available on all platforms that support the game, including Windows PC and mobile devices.
What new areas can players explore?
The update adds a large oceanic map featuring 30 new explorable islands with unique biomes, NPCs, quests, and challenges.
How does shipbuilding work?
Players start with basic rafts and can craft and upgrade their ships with new components, including cannons, expanded cargo space, and upgraded sails for faster sailing.
Are there any new monsters?
Yes, Sailing introduces new sea and sky monsters like sharks, orcas, frost dragons, and gryphons that present challenges during exploration.
Is this the first new skill in OSRS?
Yes, Sailing is the first new skill added to Old School RuneScape since the game launched almost two decades ago, marking a historic update.
Set Sail Into the Unknown
Old School RuneScape’s Sailing skill launch is reigniting the adventure for its dedicated player base while attracting new explorers to the shores of Gielinor. With shipbuilding, new islands, dangerous monsters, and rich quests, Sailing invites players to take to the seas and discover what lies beyond the horizon.
Prepare your crew, stock your supplies, and ready your ship – a new chapter in OSRS history is about to begin.