OSRS Unreleased Skills
12.11.2025 - 13:54:30
Game Guides , OSRS Skills & Skilling , Runescape
After years of waiting, there's finally a new Skill coming to OSRS. The OSRS Sailing update will launch on Nov. 19 and it will add a new Skill among other things.
The truth is that this is just one of the many Skills that could be added to the game. There are a few that are just waiting the greenlight from the developers and the community but we've yet to have those as well. If you're interested in finding out what those Skills are, you've come to the right place.
Once you're done checking out our guide, make sure to check out our store next. We've got OSRS items for sale so that you don't have to grind for long hours.
OSRS Unreleased Skills
How does Jagex pick the next Skills to be added to the game anyway? In the case of Sailing, it was a part of a community poll. It's likely that future Skills will be considered in the same way but don't take our word for it. Jagex could still very much add Skills at their own behest. Since this is a community-centric game however, polls are still likely the only way for new ones to be added.
Skills are proposed by either the community or the developers. From there, the developers work on the Skill and if it fits the game, they'll release it in Alpha or do a poll for it.
Since Sailing is going to be added this year, it's not likely that we'll get another pretty soon. In fact, it might take years before another one is added. Still, it's good to see what's in the possible pipeline.
Skill | First Proposed / Announced | Polling Dates | Core Concept | Outcome / Legacy |
Artisan | 2014 | 17 July & 21 August 2014 | Similar to Slayer but for non-combat skills. Players would receive tasks from Artisan masters to gather and craft specific items for experience. | Rejected; some content later released separately, including Redwood Trees and wieldable fishing rods (from Aerial Fishing). |
Warding | RuneFest 2018 | 19 July 2019 | Involved creating magical robes and armour using fabrics and vis. | Rejected; no direct successor, but influenced later skill design discussions. |
Shamanism | March 2023 | 4 April 2023 (polled vs Sailing & Taming) | Focused on gathering materials to craft shamanistic items like relics and totems. Would have introduced the Spirit Realm as an accessible area. | Lost to Sailing (came second). Considered popular enough to be revisited in the future. |
Taming | March 2023 | 4 April 2023 (polled vs Sailing & Shamanism) | Centered on taming and training creatures that could assist players in various skills or exploration. | Received the fewest votes and was scrapped. |
Why Players Want A New Skill In OSRS
This is the first time in OSRS history that a new Skill has been added. But why are players so excited by it? For one, Jagex isn't just adding a new Skill to the game. They're adding an entire system, and with it comes an assortment of features. With the Sailing update, here's what you're getting:
Category | Description / Details |
Ship-building & Upgrades | Players can own up to five boats at once with the required Sailing level. Boats come in three sizes: raft, small boat, and large boat. You can upgrade boats at the Shipyard with stronger components and facilities that improve performance. Facilities can be built using Construction or by hiring a Shipwright to build basic ones. |
Crew & Multiplayer | Players can recruit from 10 NPCs across Gielinor to join their crew, or invite up to five friends to sail together. Crewmates help manage facilities and keep the ship running efficiently. |
Ship Combat | The sea features hostile creatures and enemies. Players can build Cannon facilities for defense. Combat functions similarly to land combat. Repair Kits can be used at a Shipwright's Workbench to fix boats after battles. |
Sailing Gameplay | Sailing XP is earned by interacting with facilities on the boat (e.g., trimming sails for XP and speed). There are four main training methods plus a hybrid Sailing/Fishing method. The skill loop is simple and AFK-friendly, but with progression depth. |
Port Tasks | Players can take Courier Tasks (deliver cargo) or Bounty Tasks (defeat threats at sea). Tasks are accepted from Port Noticeboards and docks after meeting level requirements. Up to five Port Tasks can be stored at once. |
Shipwreck Salvaging | A relaxed, AFK training method. Equip a Salvaging Hook and visit Shipwreck Salvage points to collect valuable Salvage, stored in your Cargo Hold. Salvage can be sorted at Port into usable materials. |
Sea Charting | Using the Captain's Log, players can chart and document unexplored sea areas for one-time XP rewards and Sailing upgrades. Completing charts grants bonus XP and special rewards. Encourages exploration and discovery. |
Barracuda Trials | Competitive time trials run by the Barracuda crew. Includes three launch trials: The Tempor Tantrum, Jubbly Jive, and Gwenith Glide. These award large amounts of XP and cosmetic or item rewards for skilled play. |
Deep Sea Trawling | Players can build a Trawling Net facility to access new, rare fish in deep waters. Provides both Sailing and Fishing XP, with catches usable for food and Herblore ingredients. |
Quests | Sailing launches with multiple quests. The intro quest, Pandemonium, teaches basic Sailing. The major quest “Troubled Tortugans” introduces a new race (Tortugans) and their conflict with Gryphons. A sequel quest, “The Red Reef,” is planned for release later. |
New Areas | Over 30 new islands are added at launch, some featuring new dungeons. Focus on environmental storytelling and exploration. Additional expansions planned post-launch. |
New Resources | New items include logs, ores, rocks, fish, seeds, fabrics, and more. Bank space will be increased. All resources launch with Sailing except Incendiary and Chainshot Cannonballs, which arrive later. |
New Training Methods | Unlocking islands grants access to new skilling methods like Crab Hunting, Lantern Fishing, Blowpipe Fletching, and Pirate Thieving, designed to fill existing skill progression gaps. |
Unique Items & Rewards | Players can upgrade and customize up to five boats for QoL and cosmetics. Teleport me to Boat spell enables dock travel. Notable new items: Belle's Folly (formerly Gleaming Rapier, a 5-tick stab weapon alternative to Zamorakian Hasta) and Horn of Plenty (increases resource gathering and boosts Hunter level). More launch rewards to be announced. |
Wishing For More OSRS Skills
Players are hoping that more Skills like this come to the game. There are still a lot of potential to change up OSRS and expand the game further. If you're preparing for the new Sailing update, check out our OSRS gold for sale so that you can get what you need ahead of time.