There will probably be better feedback indicators to help you realize when friends will be in the line of fire, but I doubt that they'll turn friendly fire off - having to deal with that is part of the challenge.
The healing will likely be toned down, I agree that some of the spells are too powerful right now.
I'm not sure that having social skills use the highest in the group is a good idea - it will let those who don't bother investing in them get the benefits for free, which seems wrong.
