macros VS JB2A_DnD5e

Yeah, learning how to do other stuff in Javascript is a good way to start. But then maybe look at things like the example scripts in the community macros: https://github.com/foundry-vtt-community/macros

Have a look at the community free macro module. https://github.com/foundry-vtt-community/macros

If you code at all, then Foundry jumps even higher up the recommendation list since it's designed intentionally to allow people to build stuff and add functionality. As someone who used to mess with R20 macros and their proprietary API, this is probably one of my favorite benefits to Foundry. They have some typical documentation though if you prefer examples the community macros repo is great for that.

Read some of the shorter/simpler macros from https://github.com/foundry-vtt-community/macros to get a sense of how they work.

This macro in the FoundryVTT Community Macros GitHub repository "selects all actors of the same name on the scene." I haven't tested it, but these macros have never given me issues in the past, and I recommend checking out that repo if there's ever something you're looking for.

Quick size control (#2) is generally handled by macros. There's a macro for quickly swapping tokens between 1x1 and 2x2 in the community macros. If you want some that will just bump a token up or down 1 grid size, I can get you mine personal ones in a bit when I'm at my main computer/

buttonpushertv

Try this one: https://github.com/foundry-vtt-community/macros/blob/4e25a66ef7990dbcb0c9015b554286de147c5116/actor/5e_lay_on_hands.js

JB2A has a lot of animated spell effects. Not so much animated things though. You can get some of them for free, but I think most are available through Patreon.

I would keep my eye on Advanced Spell Effects by Vauryx. He does some pretty amazing things in setting up some of these more mechanically complicated spells to be fully functional. He recently added a couple Wall spells to the repertoire and while Wall of Light isn't in there yet he has said that more are on the way now that he has the foundations of wall mechanics figured out. He has a couple dedicated channels in the JB2A Discord where he posts updates and whatnot.

What you can do is go to their Github at https://github.com/Jules-Bens-Aa/JB2A_DnD5e and then download the zip file. All of the animations are in the zip and they are simply .webm files that you can import as tiles in any system. (Or assign as token art, etc.)

JB2A - Jules and Ben's Animated Assets - Free Content

Map and overhead orrery tile made using Dungeondraft and assets from Forgotten Adventures, Tom Cartos, and Crosshead Studios. Animated portal assets from JB2A

Some Textures by JB2A: https://www.patreon.com/JB2A

Jules & Ben's Animated Assets is amazing, https://www.patreon.com/JB2A, with plenty of animated spell effects.