The Queue: Da bears

Welcome back to The Queue, our daily Q&A column in which the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the

World of Warcraft. Mike Sacco will be your host today.

Ayasumonk provided today's header image, a reflection on the cruelty of Russian circuses. Not really.

A_V asked:

Are the guild-earned new heirlooms in Cata going to be the only accessible heirlooms available to level from 80 to 85? Because my partner and I have a private guild on one server for the two of us that consists of just our few 80s and little alts. If the heirlooms are deep into the guild levels, will we still be able to access them with just the two of us running around?
Yes, only the helm and cape heirlooms are currently known to work past level 80, and it might take a bit of time for a two-person guild to unlock them. Bear in mind that you'll likely also have guild perks to boost your experience gain at that point.

Razion asked:

I've asked around and searched, but I can't seem to figure out what's happening to Wintergrasp Commendations with the patch. I've saved 17 of the buggers, which translates to about 800-900 honor or can be vendored for 300 gold. I'm worried that with Cataclysm and the implementation of the actual cap and taking away of the soft one, my commendations will be taken away.

What's happening to WG Commendations in Cataclysm?

They're not obtainable anymore and not used to buy anything, either, but if you still have some in your inventory, you can use them to get 50 honor.

aggr1103 asked:

Since worgen won't have their own class-specific mounts, when they mount up on other faction mounts or flying mounts, will players have the option of flying in worgen form or human form?

You retain whatever form you're currently in when you mount. If you cast your mount spell in human form, you'll look like a human, and likewise with worgen form.

Oscar asked:

With the huge health pools in Cata, I was wondering how much will top bandages will heal for?

Courtesy of commenter Boobah:

• Embersilk 17,400/8 sec.

• Heavy Embersilk 26,000/8 sec.

• Dense Embersilk 35,000/8 sec.

VioletArrows asked:

Is there a date for when The Shattering comes out in paperback? I like compact, flexible trade paperbacks and don't have an e-reader yet.

Amazon says the paperback version comes out in May 2011.

James Koon asked:

Question regarding the Cataclysmic destruction of Darkshore, namely Auberdine.

Seeing as the Alliance's way of accessing Darnassus and/or Exodar from Stormwind was through the harbor, how are fledgling members of the Alliance supposed to make the trip now? I'm assuming it will have something to do with the new area created in Northern Darkshore?

Also, since the Rut'theran Village is now gone (or so it seems from everything I've seen), how is one to enter Darnassus?

Auberdine's place in Alliance travel has been taken by Lor'danel, the new town north of the ruins of Auberdine. And Rut'theran isn't gone, it's just partially underwater. It's still a fully functional travel hub.

Have questions about the World of Warcraft? The WoW Insider crew is here with The Queue, our daily Q&A column. Leave your questions in the comments, and we'll do our best to answer 'em!