I'm making a Human Bard with the Street Performer archtype. He will be a Diplomatic/Charmer type.
For the feats I will need I have thought about the following:
1st Lingering Performance - Bardic performance continues for 2 rounds after you stop performing
Spellsong - Combine spellcasting and bardic performance
3rd Heighten Spell - Treat spell as a higher level
5th Persistent Spell - Creatures who saved against a spell must save again
7th
9th
11th
13th
Extra Performance - Use bardic performance for 6 additional rounds per day
Spell Focus - +1 bonus on save DCs for one school (Enchantment)
Greater Spell Focus - +1 bonus on save DCs for one school (Enchantment)
Combat Casting - +4 bonus on concentration checks for defensive casting
Prodigy - +2 bonus on two Perform skills
I am also going to sacrifice a 3rd lvl spell for:
Masterpiece - At the Heart of It All (String, Wind)
Not sure if Extra Performance is needed? Especially since I have Lingering Performance. If I get into 2 situations a day each lasting 7 rounds I should be OK with my 10 rounds at lvl 2 and after that I can't see needing it. Experiences anyone?
I figure The 2 Spell Focuses are next?
Prodigy feat gives better DC's for my performs with Spellsong.
I take it Persistent Spell or Spell Focuses can't be somehow combined with Bardic perfomances? Is there anything to beef up DC's for performances?
Any suggestions for required/non required feats and priority?
Standard "this is pure optimization, ignore what doesn't fit" disclaimer. Now then, lets get to it.
You don't need Extra Performance. You will be swimming in Performance rounds after a few levels, and will probably be happier having taken something different. Perhaps something defensive like Toughness or Great Fortitude, something offensive let a PBS and Precise Shot, or something weird like an Eldritch Heritage.
I'd normally say that Lingering Performance is also unnecessary, though in this case I'm assuming you have some trick worked out with the Street Performer abilities for it. Otherwise, not great. The Performance rounds just build up too quickly to recommend it for a plan up to 13th level. If you really want your Performances to last forever, consider Harmonic Spell instead. It will give you extra rounds and allow some performance switching shenanigans. Unfortunately, as a Street Performer you won't get my favorite abuse: turning New Inspire Competence into Old Inspire Competence by combining it with repeated castings of dancing lights.
Combat Casting is also iffy. As a 6-level caster your DCs don't go up that high, and as a charm focused Bard you will probably be pumping your Charisma pretty thoroughly. Unless you are really planning to use some touch skills or something, I'd say you can live without this.
There are a few feats that boost the DCs of your songs in specific circumstances and against specific enemies. Leaf Singer and Stone Singer are a bit too specific, but Harmonic Sage might come up enough to be useful (though it isn't a huge boost even then). You can also try Ability Focus, but that will only affect one ability and will require GM approval (as a monster feat).
If you want to crank up the charm spell DCs, I'd recommend a level in Crossblooded Sorcerer (Infernal/Fey). +2 on all Charm and Compulsion spells is darn nice. Combine with At the Heart of It All and Spellsong, and you will be the uncontested master of charming the King at his banquet. Alternively, you can take a bloodline that opens up new targets for your enchantment spells, like Undead. Then you can also charm the Lich King at his banquet (though this might not be as clever of an idea).
Thanks for the tips on Crossblooded Sorcerer (Infernal/Fey). i'm still fairly new to PF and do not have an in depth knowledge of all the classes yet.
Trying to weigh whether a +2 on all Charm spells is worth a level in sorcerer. I guess so since it would take 2 feats to get the same results. Seems good.
Thanks for the suggestions. Haven't really thought about combat role too much - i'll mainly be Facinating/Suggetion/Disappearing Act/Enthrall/Madcap Prank. But i guess I could be decent with a sword and bow too.
I'm picturing more of an out of comabt diplomatic role.