Sailing Arrives in Old School RuneScape: First New Skill!
A new age of adventure is dawning on the shores of Gielinor. After more than a decade since its launch, the beloved and enduring MMORPG, Old School RuneScape, is set to receive its first-ever brand-new skill: Sailing. Developer Jagex has confirmed that players will be able to hoist their sails and explore the uncharted waters of the game world starting on November 19th, 2024.
This monumental update marks a turning point for the fan-favorite title, a game celebrated for its commitment to a classic, player-driven experience. The introduction of a new skill is the single largest content addition of its kind in the game's history, promising to fundamentally change how players interact with the world and introducing a fresh, exciting grind for veterans and newcomers alike. For a community that has spent years mastering the existing 23 skills, the chance to start fresh on a level playing field is a historic event, igniting a wave of excitement throughout the player base.
What is the New Sailing Skill?
Sailing is far more than just pointing a boat and clicking on the horizon. It has been designed as a comprehensive, deep, and engaging skill that integrates with many other aspects of the game. At its core, Sailing is a utility and exploration-focused skill that empowers players to become masters of the sea.
Players will build, customize, and captain their own ships, venturing far from the familiar coastlines of Lumbridge and Catherby. The skill involves navigating treacherous waters, exploring procedurally generated islands teeming with new resources and secrets, and uncovering long-lost lore. It is not a passive skill; it will require active participation in steering your vessel, managing your crew, and overcoming oceanic challenges. From tiny personal sloops to larger, more formidable vessels, the ship you command will be your key to unlocking a vast new dimension of the game world.
Core activities in the Sailing skill are expected to include:
- Shipbuilding: Using skills like Construction, Smithing, and Crafting to build and upgrade your own vessel.
- Navigation: Charting courses to new and undiscovered locations across the vast seas of Gielinor.
- Exploration: Discovering new islands, fishing spots, and underwater points of interest.
- Naval Combat: Battling fearsome sea monsters and other maritime threats.
- Task-Based Training: Completing contracts for port-based NPCs, such as delivering cargo or mapping new regions.
A Historic, Player-Driven Decision
The journey to Sailing's release has been a long and careful one, defined by Old School RuneScape's unique player-polling system. Unlike most MMOs, major updates in OSRS must pass a community-wide vote with a 70% supermajority to be implemented. This ensures that the game evolves in a way that its dedicated players truly want.
In the past, other skill proposals have been put before the community and failed to pass this rigorous test, making Sailing's successful poll a testament to its compelling design and the development team's commitment to community feedback. After a lengthy process of pitches, refinements, and beta tests, players voted overwhelmingly in favor of adding Sailing to the game in 2023. This update is not just a developer-led initiative; it is a community-mandated expansion, representing a collaborative victory for the entire OSRS player base. It is the culmination of years of discussion about what a "new old school" skill should look like.
How Sailing Will Change Gielinor Forever
The introduction of Sailing is poised to send ripples across every corner of the game world. Its impact will be felt far beyond the open water, breathing new life into existing content and creating entirely new economic and gameplay loops.
The most immediate change will be the expansion of the world map. For the first time, the vast, empty oceans on the in-game map will become a dynamic and interactive space. This opens up limitless possibilities for new quests, slayer monsters, boss encounters, and skilling methods that are only accessible by ship.
Furthermore, Sailing will provide a much-needed boost to other skills. Materials gathered from remote islands will create new demand for gathering skills, while the need for ship components will revitalize crafting disciplines. It promises a more interconnected and purposeful skilling experience, where progress in one area directly benefits another. For dedicated players who have already achieved the coveted Max Cape, Sailing presents the ultimate new challenge: a fresh race to level 99 and a new skill to master.
The in-game economy is also expected to shift dramatically as players buy and sell ship parts, rare resources from distant lands, and services related to sea travel. A whole new market is about to be born, and clever players will surely find ways to profit from the dawn of this new maritime age.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the new skill being added to Old School RuneScape?
The first-ever new skill being added to Old School RuneScape is Sailing. It is an exploration and utility skill focused on building and captaining ships to explore the game's oceans.
What is the release date for the Sailing skill?
Sailing is officially scheduled to be released on Tuesday, November 19th, 2024. The launch is planned for approximately 10:00 UTC.
Will I need to be a member to train Sailing?
Yes, like most significant content additions and skills in the game, Sailing will be exclusive to members of Old School RuneScape.
How was the new skill chosen?
The OSRS community chose Sailing through the game's official polling system. After several rounds of feedback and a final vote, it passed the required 70% approval threshold to be added to the game, making it a player-driven decision.