For the first time, OSRS is adding a low-level Slayer boss. At only 51 Slayer, the Shellbane Griffin is the most accessible Slayer boss to date. Like its regular counterpart, it is weak to Magic but also susceptible to RuneScape gold melee strategies.
Its unique drop is the Gleaming Rapier, a tradeable weapon requiring 65 Attack. Despite being slower (five ticks instead of four), its stats place it close to the Zamorakian Hasta, making it a valuable mid-game stab weapon. For Ironmen especially, this fills a gap where previously the only realistic progression was grinding out a Hasta. Now, the Gleaming Rapier provides an alternative route for mid-level PvM.
Aquanites Return
Veterans of RS2/RS3 will recognize the Aquanites, which now make their way into OSRS with a fresh twist. They require 86 Slayer and 73 Sailing, making them a higher-level addition.
Found in multi-combat areas, Aquanites are cannonable and venator-bow friendly, meaning they'll likely become a popular task for Slayer XP. Their superior variant, the Elder Aquanite, adds mechanics that test prayer-switching skills, giving higher-level players something more engaging.
Their notable drop is the Aquanite Hopper, an off-hand item for crossbows. It offers a 10% chance to fire an additional bolt, albeit at reduced damage and accuracy. While not a replacement for the Twisted Buckler, this hopper provides a long-needed mid-tier ranged off-hand option, particularly useful for Ironmen who lack alternatives.
Lava Strikeworms and Magma Strikes
Another RS2 throwback, Lava Strikeworms, joins OSRS at 62 Slayer and 60 Sailing. These worm-like creatures attack with melee and ranged attacks, with certain spells weakening them while others empower them. Their superior, the Magma Strike, can burrow underground, forcing players to reposition quickly.
Their main drops include Strikebones (worth 60 Prayer XP when buried) and Dragon Sheets, a new Sailing resource. While they don't introduce a unique gear upgrade, their place in Slayer will depend heavily on XP rates. If tuned properly, they could serve as a decent mid-level option.
Frost Dragons: Prayer Training Reimagined
A nostalgic favorite, Frost Dragons return as part of Sailing. They require 87 Sailing, 85 Combat, and 85 Slayer, placing them among the highest-level unlocks.
Their main reward, Frost Dragon Bones, grants 100 Prayer XP per burial-positioned between Lava Dragon Bones and Hydra Bones. If their health pool remains low, as in RS2, they could become a new meta for Ironmen training in Prayer quickly.
Though their task weight is low and they spawn in single-combat zones, their drops could make them worthwhile when encountered. They also drop Dragon Sheets, further tying them into Sailing's resource system.
Quality-of-Life Updates
Alongside these new monsters, the blog highlights several important QoL changes:
Extra Bank Space: All members receive +100 free slots, with an additional +10 per purchased upgrade, totaling +190 extra spaces. Given Sailing's resource-heavy nature, this is a welcome change.
Max Cape Clarification: Players will keep their Max Cape after Sailing's release, though it will be unequippable until 99 Sailing is achieved. Cosmetic variants can be dismantled to recover both items.
New Items: A medallion for underwater breathing, renamed bleed cures ("Hemostatic Dressing"), and Sailing-related resources like Dragon Sheets are being introduced.
Pets, Polls, and Player Feedback
As always, Jagex includes community input. New pets, including a Griffin pet and proposed Sailing pets (turtle, hermit crab, jumbo squid), are on the table. Players are also asked to weigh in on skill-total worlds adjustments and other poll questions.
Final Thoughts
This Slayer Sailing blog adds a healthy mix of buy OSRS gold nostalgia and innovation. The Griffin line provides both an engaging Slayer boss and much-needed mid-game stab weaponry. Aquanites and their Hopper fill a major ranged gap, while Frost Dragons revive classic Prayer training methods.
