Healing Tests? Options

[trollface666]

Hello! Old school SR2 gamer back in the fold. Have my first game in many many years on Friday. So I am trying to crunch info on my character in a few days.

I am trying to understand magic, and I am simply dumbfounded.

1) What is the damage value of a heal spell? I can't wrap my head around it.

2) The value to pass tests in 4th edition is always a 5 and 6? Are there any ways to modify this at all, or is it always 5 and 6? Meaning, to heal someone, my target number is 5+ for successes right?

And, I mine as well go there.... Anyone have advice for making a good healer character? I had the idea of doing a troll mage who is a pacifist. He follows the Bear. The only time he will ever harm someone is if he goes berserk as per the Bear. Now, anyone who has used the Bear, does this berserk happen alot, or is it easy to over come?

Also, the expansions, Augmentation and Arsenal. Either of them beneficial for Mages?

Thanks!