The latest update has brought a wave of fresh skilling opportunities, and while the headline feature may be the new Red Reef sailing quest, many players are focusing on the powerful training methods that arrived alongside it. From highly AFK smithing options to profitable mining routes and major improvements to deep sea trolling, this patch has quietly added some of the most interesting training methods the game has seen in a while.

Much of the excitement revolves around the introduction of Rubium ore, a brand-new resource that is already reshaping both Smithing and Mining training. Combined with changes to Sailing and Fishing activities, today’s update offers several worthwhile alternatives for players looking to level efficiently while making solid profit.

Incendiary Cannonballs Could Become a Top Smithing Method

One of the standout additions is the ability to smith incendiary cannonballs. These new cannonballs deal damage over time to sea monsters, making them a direct upgrade over standard ammunition. As a result, demand for them is expected to remain extremely high, especially among players focused on sailing combat content.

To craft incendiary cannonballs, players need two materials: regular cannonballs and the newly introduced Rubium ore. The recipe creates two cannonballs at a time and consumes 10 Rubium ore per action. Fortunately, both materials are stackable, which completely changes the feel of the training method.

Because everything stacks, players can simply stand at an anvil and smith for long periods without moving. The process is very AFK-friendly, requiring only occasional interaction every minute or so. Even though you are limited to 28 smithing actions before stopping, the convenience of never needing to reposition makes the method incredibly relaxed.

At higher levels, the experience rates are surprisingly strong. Rune incendiary cannonballs, which require level 90 Smithing, can reach roughly 225,000 XP per hour. That is extremely competitive for such a low-effort method. Adamant variants at level 75 can provide around 187,000 XP per hour, while mithril versions at level 55 still offer close to 150,000 XP hourly.

Steel cannonballs and lower-tier versions naturally provide less experience, but even they remain respectable options for more casual training.

The major downside right now is profitability. Due to the high demand for Rubium ore and the popularity of the method, smithing incendiary cannonballs currently costs money rather than generating profit. Still, many players will gladly accept the expense in exchange for fast and highly AFK experience.

Chainshot Cannonballs Offer a Profitable Alternative

For players who prefer a more cost-effective option, chainshot cannonballs are another interesting addition.

These work similarly to incendiary cannonballs but require chains instead of a stackable secondary ingredient. Because chains are not stackable, players must bank more frequently, which slightly lowers experience rates. However, the reduction is fairly small, likely around 5% overall.

The key advantage is profitability. Unlike incendiary cannonballs, chainshot crafting is currently generating profit and may continue doing so because the banking requirement discourages some players from using the method continuously.

As a result, chainshot cannonballs could become one of the best-balanced Smithing methods in the game, offering respectable experience while still earning gold.

Rubium Mining Introduces New AFK Options

The update also introduced new mining activities centered around Rubium rocks and Rubium geodes. Both are located on Charred Island, which requires level 60 Sailing to access.

Getting there is relatively simple. Many players are teleporting to Pest Control before sailing south toward the island. Once there, players can build access to a bank chest, though banking is often unnecessary because nearly all gathered materials stack.

In fact, many players only need to bring a pickaxe, hammer, and chisel before settling into extended mining sessions.

Rubium Rocks

Rubium rocks are the faster and more active option. They require only level 48 Mining and provide solid experience rates alongside a large supply of Rubium ore.

The nodes function somewhat similarly to volcanic ash deposits. Players are guaranteed at least two successful gathers before the rock can deplete, but sometimes deposits last much longer. This makes the activity far more AFK-friendly than traditional power mining methods like iron ore.

At higher Mining levels, players are already seeing rates of roughly 55,000 to 60,000 XP per hour while collecting between 1,800 and 2,000 Rubium ore each hour at current market prices, which translates to around 500,000 cheap OSRS gold per hour in profit.

 While profits will likely decrease over time as more players flood the market, the combination of decent experience and low-intensity gameplay makes Rubium Rocks an attractive long-term option.

Rubium Geodes

Rubiumgeodes are designed for players who want maximum AFK gameplay.

There are only two geode nodes on the island, and mining them is significantly slower. Experience rates drop to roughly 10,000 XP per hour, making them inefficient for pure leveling. However, the nodes can last around five minutes before depletion, allowing players to mine with very little attention.

Instead of gathering ore directly, players collect geodes that can later be cracked open using a hammer and chisel. Despite the low XP, the Rubium yield remains surprisingly competitive, meaning profits can still rival standard Rubium mining methods.

For players who enjoy ultra-relaxed gameplay, Rubium geodes may quickly become one of the most appealing AFK money-making methods introduced this year.

Deep Sea Trolling Finally Feels Worthwhile

The final major update affects deep-sea trolling, a Sailing activity that previously struggled to justify the effort required.

Before today’s patch, Sailing experience gains were painfully low, often capped at around 20,000 XP per hour. The update has now dramatically increased XP rewards from trolling nets across the board.

For example:

Rope trolling nets increased from 4 XP to 7 XP

Linen nets increased from 5 XP to 9 XP

Hemp nets increased from 6 XP to 11 XP

Cotton nets increased from 8 XP to 15 XP

These changes effectively doubled Sailing experience rates in many situations.

Fishing experience itself has not changed dramatically, but the activity now grants comparable Sailing XP alongside the Fishing gains. Combined totals can now reach 70,000 to 80,000 XP per hour between both skills.

The update also improved gathering speed. Deep-sea trolling actions previously operated on a four-tick cycle, but they now function on three ticks by default. This increases both the number of fish gathered and the fishing experience earned, especially for players who were not previously using advanced click-intensive methods.

Another major fix finally made baited shoals function properly, granting the intended 20% catch increase. Players are now catching significantly more fish overall.

Of course, there are drawbacks. Increased fish supply has already caused Marlin prices to crash substantially, with prices reportedly dropping by around 30% in a single week. Even so, deep sea trolling can still generate impressive profit, with many players earning close to 2.5 million OSRS gold per hour while training.

The biggest issue remains the interface itself. Many players still find the system clunky and outdated, though future quality-of-life updates are expected.

Even so, today’s changes have finally pushed deep-sea trolling into genuinely viable territory for players seeking a combination of Sailing XP, Fishing XP, and strong profit.