OSRS Sailing Guide: Exploring the Proposed New Skill!

Ahoy, adventurers! The potential arrival of Sailing, Old School RuneScape's 24th skill, has generated waves of excitement throughout the community for years. From early concepts to a playable Alpha test, the idea of commanding your own ship, exploring uncharted waters, and discovering new content is incredibly appealing.

Important Note: Sailing is currently a PROPOSED skill. While it has progressed through initial polling stages and Jagex ran an Alpha test (around March 2024 based on available info), its final form and even its implementation are not guaranteed. This guide summarizes what we know based on proposals and the Alpha, but details will change if the skill is fully developed and released.

What is the Vision for OSRS Sailing?

At its core, Sailing aims to be an open-world exploration skill, deeply integrated with the existing map of Gielinor. Forget instanced areas – the plan is to let players navigate the actual seas, discover new islands, and engage with a variety of maritime activities. It's not just about travel; it's envisioned as a full-fledged skill with unique training methods and rewards.

Key Gameplay Mechanics (Based on Proposals & Alpha Test)

The Sailing Alpha provided a glimpse into how this skill might function:

1. Getting Your Sea Legs (Introduction)

  • Introductory Quest: Like Herblore (Druidic Ritual), Sailing would likely start with a quest (Pandemonium in the Alpha) to teach the basics and award your first vessel.
  • First Ship: Players started with a basic Kandarin raft in the Alpha.

2. Ship Acquisition & Customization

  • Upgradable Ships: Progressing the skill would unlock bigger and better ships (like the Kandarin small boat seen in the Alpha).
  • Shipyard: A dedicated interface/area to manage and upgrade your vessels.
  • Facility Hotspots: Similar to a POH, ships would have "build spots" requiring Construction levels and materials (planks, nails - likely needing Smithing) to add facilities:
    • Storage: Essential for holding cargo from tasks or resources from salvaging.
    • Utility: Options seen included Salvaging Hooks, Cannons (implying potential combat?), and Windcatchers (enhancing a core mechanic).
  • Hull & Sail Upgrades: Improving these could allow navigation through rougher waters (rapids, storms).
  • Ship Health: Ships have HP! Taking damage from obstacles, weather, or potential combat could lead to capsizing.
  • Capsizing: If your ship sinks, you'd respawn at the nearest port, potentially losing cargo and needing to pay a fee to retrieve your damaged vessel.

3. Navigating the High Seas

  • Taking the Helm: Click the ship's wheel to take control.
  • Movement: Intuitive point-and-click steering, similar to character movement.
  • Speed Control: Interface options to accelerate, decelerate, stop, and even reverse.
  • Wind Mechanics: Periodically, "Gusts of Wind" appear. Clicking your sails ("Trimming") provides a speed boost and Sailing XP.
    • Windcatchers: A facility allowing you to store wind gusts ("Wind Motes") to use strategically for a larger XP gain.
  • Sea Depths: Different water types (Shallow, Open, Deep Sea) restrict access based on ship size/hull strength.

4. Potential Training Methods (As Seen in Alpha)

Sailing looks poised to offer diverse ways to gain XP:

  • Active Sailing/Navigation: XP gained from trimming sails during gusts of wind.
  • Exploration & Sea Charting:
    • Using a Captain's Log to track tasks in specific sea regions.
    • Employing tools like a Spyglass (examining points of interest from specific locations), Current Duck (following currents), and a Crowbar (prying open crates - introduced via Prying Times miniquest).
    • Completing all charting tasks in a region gave bonus XP.
  • Shipwreck Salvaging (Lower Intensity / AFK-ish):
    • Docking near shipwrecks.
    • Using a Salvaging Hook facility to pull up resources (Small salvage, Plundered salvage).
    • Storing loot in your ship's Cargo Hold.
    • Processing the collected salvage at a Salvaging Station in port for useful items (but no XP for processing itself).
    • Different tiers of shipwrecks requiring higher Sailing levels and better hooks.
  • Port Tasks (Repeatable):
    • Accessed via Notice Boards at various ports.
    • Courier Tasks: Transporting specified cargo between two ports using your ship's cargo hold. Rewarded Sailing XP and shipbuilding materials.
    • Bounty Tasks: (Disabled in Alpha) Hypothetically involved hunting specific sea creatures or targets.
  • Barracuda Trials (High Intensity / "Boatlethics"):
    • Skilling obstacle courses at sea unlocked at higher levels (Level 30 for the Alpha's The Tempor Tantrum).
    • Navigating hazards (like lightning clouds) and utilizing speed boosts (rapids).
    • Collecting items (rum shipments, lost supplies) within a time limit.
    • Multiple difficulty ranks (Swordfish, Shark, Marlin) with increasing requirements and XP rewards.

How Sailing Might Interact With Other Skills

  • Direct Requirements: Construction and Smithing appear crucial for ship upgrades.
  • Passive Training: The ability to perform other actions (Fletching, Alchemy, etc.) while your ship sails was noted – a big plus for efficiency!
  • New Resources/Areas: Unlocking new islands could introduce new trees (Woodcutting), ores (Mining), monsters (Slayer/Combat), or skilling spots.

Preparing for Sailing (Speculative Advice)

While nothing is certain, if you're keen on Sailing potentially arriving:

  • Train Relevant Skills: Focus on Construction and Smithing.
  • Stockpile Materials: Gathering planks, nails (various types), and cloth might be wise (but risky, as requirements could change).
  • Build a Strong Account: A higher overall total level will likely let you take better advantage of whatever new islands and content Sailing unlocks.
  • Save Some Gold: Building and repairing ships probably won't be free! Having some OSRS Gold ready could be useful.

The Voyage Ahead

Sailing remains one of the most anticipated potential updates for Old School RuneScape. The Alpha test gave us a fascinating look at how it could work, blending exploration, customization, and varied training methods. However, its future still rests on further development and community feedback. Will we soon be charting courses across Gielinor's oceans? Only time will tell!

Excited for the potential of Sailing but need help preparing your account? Check out our general OSRS Services to boost your skills or earn the gold you might need for your future fleet! Stay tuned to official OSRS channels for the latest news on Sailing's development.