Mmoexp Old School RuneScape: First New Skill in Nearly Two Decades

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) has always balanced on a delicate line-preserving the nostalgic gameplay of 2007 RuneScape while slowly modernizing the experience to stay fresh for veteran and new players alike. For over 20 years, that evolution has typically taken place within the confines of familiar systems. But now, for the first time in nearly two decades, the game introduces a brand-new skill: Sailing historic addition that opens up a whole new way to explore the world of Gielinor.

 

A Historic First: Sailing Sets Sail

 

Sailing isn't just any skill- it's the result of years of community conversation, debate, and polling. After three rigorous community votes, Sailing finally passed with a 71.9% majority, meeting OSRS's high approval requirement to implement new content. As of June 2025, the skill has entered its alpha testing phase, and members can try it now on PC clients through special sailing alpha worlds.

 

Although it's not yet available on mobile, this marks a major milestone in OSRS history. Players can explore a sea-based gameplay experience unlike anything the game has ever featured. This is more than askill- it's an entirely new system that adds exploration, ship management, cooperative mechanics, and oceanic challenges.

 

How to Join the Sailing Alpha

 

To participate, you'll need to be an OSRS member and log into one of the dedicated Sailing alpha worlds, which place you right in Port Sarim with all the tools you need to start your nautical journey. This testing phase is strictly capped at level 30, and any progress or items earned in the alpha will not carry over to your main account. Think of it as a sandbox designed to showcase and test sailing's core systems.

 

What You Can Do in the Sailing Alpha

 

Even though many features are unfinished or placeholders, Jagex has included a surprisingly robust set of mechanics for the alpha:

 

Opening Quest: Learn the basics of ship control, navigation, and the oceanic UI.

 

Customizable Ships: Players can obtain their vessel and upgrade it using salvaged materials, better hulls, sails, and onboard stations.

 

Open Waters Exploration: Travel between ports, discover new islands, and log entries in your Captain's Log.

 

Resource Salvaging: Dredge the ocean floor for materials and gear, a key part of progressing your ship and skills.

 

Group Sailing: You can sail solo or team up with others. Up to 25 ships can appear on screen at a time, allowing for epic multiplayer voyages.

 

The Barracuda Trial (Level 30): A time-trial gauntlet full of whirlpools and hazards. It's the alpha's big test of player mastery.

 

Jagex is especially eager to receive player feedback about the ship handling, island generation, and balance of shipbuilding mechanics, all of which will evolve significantly before the full skill releases.

 

Why Sailing Matters

 

Introducing a new skill into Old School RuneScape is no small feat. The game hasn't seen a 24th skill since its inception, and players are notoriously cautious (and rightly so) about anything that might upset the balance or pacing of OSRS's core experience.

 

But Sailing is different. Rather than just being a grind-to-99 stat, it's a gameplay loop, almost like a miniature game inside the game. It's about navigating, exploring, managing your vessel, and engaging with the world in a new, layered way. It draws from the spirit of OSRS while modernizing how players engage with content.

 

And unlike other skills that happen in isolated areas-like mining in a quarry or cutting trees in a forest-sailing ties the world together. You sail between newly explorable sea zones, embark on nautical quests, and chase discoveries that are genuinely unique to the skill.

 

Community Reaction and What's Next

 

The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Many long-time OSRS players were skeptical that sailing could ever be implemented without ruining the game's feel. But the alpha shows promising potential. The simplified controls, stylized graphics, and custom ship design all fit snugly into the Old School aesthetic.

 

Jagex has stated that this alpha is the first of multiple testing phases, and that they'll refine every system-exploration, combat, progression, and multiplayer, er based on how players interact with it. The alpha will run for one week, and feedback is being actively collected across official forums and social media.

 

Sailing Into the Future of OSRS

 

Whether you're a PvMer, a skiller, or just someone who loves exploring new systems, sailing feels like a real evolution. Not only does it revive the excitement of learning something new in OSRS, but it also opens the door for even bolder content in the years ahead. Imagine player-owned naval expeditions, fishing on the open sea, sea monster hunting, or cross-continental trading. With sailing as the foundation, OSRS's world just got a lot bigger.

 

Ready to Hoist the Sails?

 

Old School RuneScape is free to download on Steam, and with cross-platform progression on PC, iOS, and Android, you can take to the seas wherever you are.

 

If you're looking to gear up for the journey or invest in your character, consider checking out MMOexp, a trusted source for affordable OSRS gold and OSRS items, perfect for stocking your ship, upgrading your gear, or preparing for the challenges ahead. With competitive pricing and fast delivery, MMOexp ensures you're always ready to sail into the next adventure.

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