Everything We Know About the Upcoming Sailing Skill in OSRS

19 Mar 2025, 02:11

OSRS’s First New Skill Ever – Sailing is Coming! Release Date, Mechanics & More

The Old School RuneScape (OSRS) community is buzzing with excitement as Sailing, the game's first new skill, is set to launch soon. Sailing was overwhelmingly voted in by the player base, marking a historic moment in OSRS history. With its release drawing closer, let's dive into everything we know about the skill so far, including its mechanics, progression, and impact on the game.

What Is Sailing in OSRS?

Sailing is a fully-fledged skill that allows players to command their own ships, explore the open seas, and engage in various maritime activities. Unlike a mini-game or a mere extension of the existing map, Sailing introduces new oceanic areas, customizable ships, and unique gameplay mechanics that expand OSRS beyond the mainland.

The skill blends elements of exploration, navigation, combat, and resource gathering, making it one of the most ambitious additions to the game.

How Will Sailing Work?

1. Acquiring and Upgrading Ships

At the heart of the skill is ship ownership. Players will start with a basic vessel and gradually upgrade it by adding better sails, hull reinforcements, and new crew members. Different ships will serve different purposes—some optimized for speed, while others focus on cargo capacity or naval combat.

2. Exploring New Waters

Sailing introduces a fully traversable ocean, complete with islands, dungeons, and points of interest. Players will have the freedom to explore uncharted regions, uncover hidden secrets, and encounter NPCs or enemy ships.

3. Engaging in Activities at Sea

The skill is designed to be multi-faceted, incorporating a variety of engaging activities:

Fishing and Resource Gathering – Similar to how Woodcutting and Fishing work on land, players will be able to harvest resources from the ocean.
Naval Combat – Expect battles against pirates, sea creatures, and other threats that roam the waters.
Transport and Trading – Players can act as merchants, delivering cargo between ports for profit.
Group Exploration – Sailing will allow some form of multiplayer interaction, potentially enabling clan-based voyages or cooperative adventures.

Sailing and the Economy

Sailing will introduce new materials, ship upgrades, and trade routes, which will significantly impact the Grand Exchange and in-game economy. Upgrading ships, hiring crew members, and purchasing supplies will require a substantial amount of GP. If you're looking to get ahead and maximize your Sailing experience, check out our OSRS gold for sale to stock up before setting sail!

How Will Players Train Sailing?

Jagex has designed Sailing to feel like a natural skill progression, similar to traditional OSRS skills. While specific training methods are still being finalized, here’s what we know so far:

Players will gain experience by navigating, upgrading ships, and completing sea-based tasks.
The skill will have various tiers of ships, each unlocking at different Sailing levels.
Quests and mini-expeditions will be a part of the training process.

Sailing will also integrate into the existing economy, with new materials, ship upgrades, and trade routes influencing the Grand Exchange and in-game markets.

Sailing Alpha Release Date and Player Participation

Excitingly, Jagex has confirmed that the Sailing Alpha will be launching on March 20, 2025. This alpha phase will allow players to test the new skill, explore its mechanics, and provide feedback to refine the final implementation.

How to Participate in the Sailing Alpha

Access Alpha Worlds – Jagex will open dedicated worlds where players can test the skill.
Separate Progression – The alpha will have separate profiles, so your main game progress remains unaffected.
Early Feedback Opportunity – Players can engage with developers and share their thoughts on balance, progression, and gameplay.

Community reactions have been largely positive, with excitement surrounding exploration, naval combat, and new economic opportunities. However, some players have voiced concerns about how the skill will integrate into existing content and its potential XP rates. The alpha will be a crucial period for addressing these concerns before the full release.

When Is Sailing Fully Releasing?

Jagex has confirmed that Sailing is in active development with an expected full release in late 2024 or early 2025. The team is carefully refining the mechanics through player feedback, ensuring that the skill is balanced and enjoyable from launch.

Community Reactions and Speculation

The OSRS community has been largely positive about Sailing, with many players excited about the exploration and role-playing opportunities it brings. Some concerns remain, particularly about how the skill will integrate into existing content and whether it will be accessible for both casual and high-level players.

Reddit discussions on r/2007scape highlight a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism. Some players worry about Sailing’s XP rates, while others speculate about potential boss fights on the open sea. The general consensus, however, is that if executed well, Sailing could become one of OSRS's best skills.

Final Thoughts

Sailing is set to redefine OSRS gameplay, adding a whole new dimension of exploration and adventure. With its unique mechanics, deep progression system, and community-driven design, it has the potential to be one of the most exciting updates in the game’s history.

With the Sailing Alpha launching on March 20, 2025, players have a unique opportunity to shape the future of this skill before its full release. Keep an eye on official OSRS news, the wiki, and community discussions to stay informed about Sailing’s development. Get ready to set sail and chart your own course across Gielinor’s seas!