Old School RuneScape continues to evolve at a surprising pace, and heading into 2026, players have more training options than ever before. Major updates like Sailing, the Valamore questline finale, and new regions have introduced an unprecedented number of alternative training methods across nearly every skill. Whether you’re chasing level 99, pushing an ironman account, or just looking to escape the monotony of traditional grinds, these newer methods offer fresh ways to progress. Having enough OSRS gold can also be very helpful.

Below is a breakdown of some of the most notable training options added recently, what they offer, and where they fit into the broader OSRS training meta.

Combat and Slayer: New Monsters, New Opportunities

One of the standout additions for combat and Slayer training comes in the form of new dragon and griffin variants. Regular griffins, often overlooked compared to their stronger counterparts, offer respectable Slayer experience with relatively low effort. With proper weight management and the right combat style, they’re fragile enough to kill quickly and can provide consistent Slayer XP without heavy requirements.

Frost dragons, unlocked through Sailing progression, are another major highlight. Despite lacking a Slayer level requirement, they can still be assigned as tasks by select masters. Their strong elemental weakness to fire makes them ideal for Magic training, especially when paired with fire-boosting gear. Frost dragons strike a strong balance between relaxed gameplay, solid Magic XP, and valuable drops that remain in steady demand.

Prayer: New Bones, Questionable Efficiency

The introduction of new creature types also brought new bones into the game. While these bones technically offer high Prayer experience when used on gilded altars, their current market prices make them inefficient for most players. Traditional dragon bones remain a better balance of cost and XP.

That said, passive Prayer experience through bonecrusher use while killing new monsters provides a steady trickle of XP with no added cost, making it a sensible long-term option rather than a primary training method.

Runecrafting: Faster Astral Access

Runecrafting didn’t receive direct new content, but clever optimization has improved existing methods. Using Sailing-based teleports to reach the Astral altar cuts down travel time significantly compared to older routes. With the full Runecrafting outfit and proper teleport management, Astral runecrafting now offers solid experience rates alongside reliable profit, especially appealing given the low cost of essence.

Construction: A Less Click-Intensive Alternative

Construction training received a subtle but impactful option through the introduction of whole parts. Mahogany hole parts, in particular, offer competitive XP rates while requiring far fewer clicks than traditional training methods like mahogany homes. While slightly more expensive per experience point than ultra-budget options, the reduced intensity makes this method attractive for players looking for a balance between efficiency and comfort.

Lower-tier variants such as teak hole parts can be used for cheaper training, though higher-tier woods are generally not recommended due to poor cost efficiency.

Herblore: New Potions, Unsettled Prices

Several new potions entered the game alongside new ingredients, expanding Herblore training options. These potions often provide strong effects—such as extended stamina duration or powerful combat boosts—but their GP-per-XP efficiency remains volatile due to limited supply.

While these methods offer decent experience rates for their levels, most players may want to wait until prices stabilize before committing to them for long-term training. There’s also uncertainty around whether faster one-tick production methods will be possible in the future.

Thieving: Surprisingly Competitive Stall Stealing

One of the most unexpected training methods comes from new thieving stalls at Port Roberts. Unlike traditional stalls, these have infinite stock but rotating guards. By following guard movement patterns, players can achieve strong XP rates with minimal clicking.

At higher levels, this method rivals classic training options like Pyramid Plunder while being significantly less demanding. For players who value low-intensity training, this is one of the most exciting additions in recent years.

Crafting and Hunter: Sailing Synergy

Crafting benefits indirectly from Sailing-related resources like hemp and cotton. Spinning these materials offers respectable experience and modest profit, making them viable mid-level options.

Hunter saw major expansion with red, blue, and rainbow crabs. These trap-based methods scale well with level and offer a consistent experience with minimal downtime. Rainbow crabs, while requiring higher levels, stand out due to their strong XP rates and valuable secondary materials, making them both profitable and relaxed.

Mining and Smithing: New Ores, Mixed Results

New ores such as lead and nickel introduce alternative mining paths. Lead mining, in particular, offers a competitive experience compared to iron while requiring a slightly higher level. Nickel, on the other hand, is slow and underwhelming for mains, though it may have niche value for iron accounts.

Smithing these ores provides predictable but modest experience, with the ancient forge offering a faster way to process bars into cannonballs. While not groundbreaking, these methods expand player choice and reduce reliance on a single training path.

Gathering Skills: Fishing, Cooking, and Woodcutting

Lantern fishing and squid processing add novelty to Fishing but fall short in raw XP. However, rare drops tied to these activities give them long-term appeal. Cooking benefits from new fish types, with some outperforming older staples in healing efficiency and profitability.

Woodcutting and Firemaking received new tree types, though traditional methods remain superior for cost efficiency. Forestry worlds, however, dramatically improve XP rates when chopping new trees in groups, reinforcing social skilling.

Farming: A Major Win

Perhaps the most impactful addition comes from new hardwood farming patches and tree seeds. Campfire, ironwood, and rosewood trees offer massive experience drops when checked, surpassing even redwoods. With multiple patches available, these trees are an excellent addition to farm runs and a strong incentive for players still chasing Farming 99 or the pet.

Final Thoughts

OSRS heading into 2026 offers more training diversity than ever before. While not every new method reshapes the meta, the sheer number of viable alternatives gives players unprecedented freedom to choose how they train. Whether you prioritize efficiency, profit, or low-effort gameplay, these new methods ensure the journey to your next goal feels fresh—and far less repetitive. Having plenty of cheap OSRS gold can also be a great way to enhance the feeling of novelty.