After years of discussion, design, and playtesting, Old School RuneScape’s long-awaited Sailing skill is officially launching on November 19th, 2025. This marks a historic moment for the game-its first brand-new skill ever-and it’s one that promises to reshape the way players explore Gielinor. Sailing isn’t just a new leveling system; it’s an entirely new way to play, bringing ships, ocean exploration, naval combat, new islands, and fresh training methods to the world of OSRS. Whether you’re planning to take the day off for launch or just want to know how to get started, this guide breaks down exactly what to expect and how to make the most of this massive update. And if you’re looking to gear up faster before setting sail, many players choose to buy OSRS gold to help prepare their accounts with the resources needed for launch day adventures.

Building and Upgrading Your Ships

The core of Sailing revolves around your ships. Players can own up to five vessels at once, each fully customizable and upgradeable through shipyards. Boats come in three sizes-raft, small, and large-and can be enhanced with stronger components and onboard facilities. These facilities include everything from salvage hooks and repair kits to cannons and storage holds, helping you tailor your ships for exploration, combat, or AFK training.

You can construct facilities using the Construction skill, or pay a shipwright to handle upgrades if you’d rather save time. The flexibility here means you can specialize your boats: one for combat, one for delivery missions, and one for AFK training, for example. Having five ships lets you diversify without constantly rebuilding or swapping setups-an excellent quality-of-life feature for long-term players.

Crew Management and Multiplayer Exploration

Every great captain needs a crew. You can recruit up to 10 NPCs from across Gielinor, each with unique abilities to assist you during voyages. In addition, up to five real players (friends or clanmates) can join your ship at any time, helping to manage facilities and participate in sea-based activities. This opens the door for co-op gameplay unlike anything seen before in OSRS-imagine sailing into battle with friends manning the cannons or helping you complete port tasks in real time.

This system also creates opportunities for mentorship. Higher-level sailors can bring new players aboard, showing them the ropes (literally) and helping them understand the skill’s mechanics before they venture out solo.

Combat and Core Gameplay Loops

While exploring the sea, players will encounter hostile sea creatures and pirates. Ship combat functions similarly to traditional land combat but focuses on managing your boat’s condition, firing cannons, and repairing damage mid-battle. Expect straightforward, engaging encounters rather than raid-level difficulty at launch-though future updates may expand on this system.

For everyday training, the core Sailing gameplay loop is simple: interact with ship facilities to earn XP. Examples include trimming sails for speed boosts or maintaining your ship during travel. However, Jagex has confirmed four dedicated training methods plus a hybrid Sailing/Fishing method for players seeking variety and efficiency.

Training Methods Explained

1. Port Tasks:

These function like maritime delivery or bounty missions. Players can transport cargo, hunt sea threats, or perform errands for NPCs. You can store up to five tasks at a time, encouraging multitasking and route optimization.

2. Shipwreck Salvaging (AFK Method):

Ideal for multitaskers or Ironmen, salvaging lets you recover valuable materials from sunken ships. Simply equip a salvage hook facility, park near a wreck site, and collect salvage for XP and crafting resources-perfect for players who enjoy background skilling.

3. Sea Charting:

Use your captain’s log to document new discoveries at sea. While it offers one-time XP chunks, completing charted regions can unlock unique sailing upgrades and rewards, appealing to explorers and completionists alike.

4. Barracuda Trials:

These high-intensity time trials are designed for experienced players who want fast XP and competitive gameplay. Three initial trials-Temporatum, Jubbly Jive, and Gwenneth Glide-reward skillful control and precise execution with major XP gains.

5. Deep Sea Trolling (Hybrid Method):

This combines Sailing and Fishing XP as you catch exotic fish in distant waters using a trolling net facility. These new fish can be cooked or used for Herblore ingredients, adding a profitable and interactive training option.

New Quests, Islands, and Resources

At launch, Sailing introduces over 30 new islands filled with quests, training spots, and unique resources. Expect activities like crab hunting, pirate thieving, and lantern fishing, along with brand-new questlines such as Troubled Toigans and the upcoming Red Reef sequel planned for early 2026. New materials like rare ores, fabrics, and logs will be added-so don’t worry, extra bank space is on the way.

Each island adds replayable content comparable to Fossil Island or Prifddinas in scale, meaning Sailing could become the largest single expansion in OSRS history.

Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond

Jagex has already teased an exciting roadmap for post-launch updates. In early 2026, expect The Red Reef quest and new port tasks. By summer, a player-designed island competition and small-scale sea boss are planned. Later in the year, a major sea expansion will introduce more islands and potentially colossal party ships for large groups. Hybrid training methods, additional quests, and even ship-based PvP are being considered as long-term goals.

Final Thoughts

Sailing isn’t just another skill-it’s an evolution of Old School RuneScape itself. It encourages exploration, cooperation, and creativity while staying true to what makes OSRS special: freedom of choice. Whether you’re charting unknown seas, salvaging wrecks, or commanding your friends through stormy waters, Sailing will redefine how players experience Gielinor. And for adventurers looking to prepare for launch day, stocking up on essential supplies or upgrading gear with cheap RuneScape gold can help you get ready to tackle the open ocean with confidence. The ocean awaits-and adventure has never looked this good.