The waves are rising in Old School RuneScape as Jagex officially confirms the release of Sailing, the game’s long-awaited 24th skill, set to launch on November 19, 2025. This marks a historic moment for the beloved MMORPG – introducing a completely new way to explore Gielinor’s vast oceans.
Charting a New Course in Gielinor
Sailing allows players to navigate the seas and oceans of Gielinor using their own customizable ships. From small rafts to massive seafaring vessels, players can chart routes between familiar locations and discover entirely new islands that can only be reached by mastering the Sailing skill. These unexplored lands will unlock new quests, rare resources, and innovative training methods – making Sailing one of the most content-rich updates in OSRS history.
Each player will start their journey aboard a humble Kandarin raft, earned by completing the Pandemonium quest, before upgrading to larger ships equipped for deeper waters and more dangerous voyages.
From Player Polls to RuneFest Reveals
The Sailing journey began on March 27, 2023, when Jagex proposed three potential new skills: Sailing, Taming, and Shamanism. After weeks of community debate, Sailing secured a clear plurality of votes, later passing the official poll with 71.9% approval – a massive win for the OSRS community-driven design process.
Following its reveal at RuneFest 2025, players got their first hands-on experience during the Sailing Alpha (March 2025) and Sailing Beta (June 26–July 3, 2025). These public tests allowed members to try out early mechanics, explore limited regions like the Ardent and Unquiet Oceans, and provide feedback that directly shaped the final version of the skill.
Sailing Mechanics: Ships, Navigation, and the Seas
At its core, Sailing revolves around ship ownership and management. Every player must build and maintain their own ship, which serves as the primary vehicle for exploration and training. Ships can be upgraded and customized with materials such as planks, nails, and cloth – granting Construction experience and unlocking new facilities like wind catchers, cannons, or cargo holds.
Different tiers of ships offer distinct advantages:
- Kandarin Raft (Level 1) – Starter vessel obtained through the Pandemonium quest.
- Kandarin Small Boat (Level 10) – Free from shipwrights; ideal for early activities like shipwreck salvaging and Barracuda Trials.
Higher-tier ships will access deeper ocean zones and withstand rough weather conditions.
Hands-on Navigation and Sea Challenges
Sailing changes RuneScape’s classic point-and-click system with a real-time navigation interface. Players can steer their ships, adjust sails for speed boosts, and react to dynamic wind and weather patterns. Trimming sails at the right moment grants temporary speed bursts and extra experience, while wind catchers generate motes that can be released for additional XP.
Ships have hitpoints that can be damaged by combat, rough seas, or environmental hazards. If a ship sinks, the player loses their cargo and must pay gold to recover it from the nearest port – adding a new layer of risk and reward to high-level voyages.
Weather will play a critical role in the experience. From strong currents to fog and storms, players will need skill upgrades and specialized gear to navigate the shallow, open, and deep-sea tiers safely. Deeper regions promise greater rewards but higher dangers – mirroring the risk-versus-reward philosophy that OSRS is known for.
Ports, Docking, and New Territories
There are 56 docking points scattered across Gielinor’s coasts and islands. Each docking location has level requirements and specialized port facilities to assist with repairs, cargo management, and crew recruitment. Some regions, like Crandor, are locked behind existing quests – players attempting to sail there too early might even encounter Elvarg’s wrath.
Exploration through Sailing will open new opportunities for port tasks, courier missions, bounty hunting, shipwreck salvaging, and sea charting – making it a multi-faceted skill that blends adventure, crafting, and combat.
Launch Day Schedule (November 19, UTC)
- 7:15 am – System update timer activates.
- 8:00 am – Game worlds briefly go offline for the update.
- 8:00–8:15 am – Worlds reopen; players can log in but can’t yet train Sailing.
- 8:15–10:00 am – Final checks on live servers.
- ~10:00 am – Sailing unlocks for all members without rebooting worlds.
Once live, players will start at Level 1 Sailing, and the skill will instantly appear on the HiScores.
The Horizon Ahead
With Sailing’s launch, Old School RuneScape is venturing into new territory—both figuratively and literally. The update represents a milestone in the game’s 12-year history, blending classic mechanics with ambitious, modern design.
Whether you’re charting new seas, upgrading your first ship, or exploring the uncharted islands of Gielinor, Sailing promises to redefine how adventurers experience OSRS. Prepare your crew, polish your compass, and get ready to set sail on November 19, 2025.
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