While you have a really high point buy and you can probably make this work, this would definitely be an under-performing PC in my group. You don't have good enough "To Hit" bonuses ensure that Power Attack hits. Power attack is not really useful for non full BAB classes unless they have access to lots of bonuses to hit. I wouldn't take it before level 7.
Melee Mesmerists are decent at low levels but after about level 6 to 7 you will fall behind. Your debuffs won't stick, you can't hit consistently and you do terrible melee damage anyway.
IMO caster Mesmerists are the way to go. You are an amazing party face and your debuffs are something to be feared. With another save or suck caster in your party, that 1-2 punch will end encounters quickly.
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I love the Mesmerist class. It can excel in melee combat and debuff people into oblivion. Having said that, I strongly recommend focusing on dexterity based combat. Yes, it is more feat intensive. But a caster class needs dexterity far more than it needs strength. Keep Dexterity and Charisma high and your saves will be grand. You will need higher AC if you are going into melee combat regularly. And dexterity meshes much better with the Mesmerist's skillset.
As for first level feats: Intimidating Glance is a great first step towards your debuffing spree. Swift action intimidation towards your Hypnotic Stare target. And it'll help the entire party. Power Attack won't benefit you much.
Regardless of if you take my advice, I do hope you have fun with this character. I really had fun with my Mesmerist.
I understand completely.
I think I can lend you a bit more useful advice if you were able to describe your fellow party members as well.. A Mesmerist is a solid support and debuff class. Depending on the party composition, different tactics and spells are very useful.
While you have a really high point buy and you can probably make this work, this would definitely be an under-performing PC in my group. You don't have good enough "To Hit" bonuses ensure that Power Attack hits. Power attack is not really useful for non full BAB classes unless they have access to lots of bonuses to hit. I wouldn't take it before level 7.
Melee Mesmerists are decent at low levels but after about level 6 to 7 you will fall behind. Your debuffs won't stick, you can't hit consistently and you do terrible melee damage anyway.
IMO caster Mesmerists are the way to go. You are an amazing party face and your debuffs are something to be feared. With another save or suck caster in your party, that 1-2 punch will end encounters quickly.
The approach I took was furious focus- that way, power attack costs nothing on the one attack you care about.
Admittedly...I might advise a spring attack. Well optimized painful stare (typically with that intense pain feat+half orc favored class bonus) has enough that it might somewhat cover the lackluster iteratives. So going for such a mobile style may be a niche- you are a class that can deal a chunk of damage, even though you are staying back and keeping your distance- moving about.
I am not going to say that it is going to be 'great'. But it can cause enough damage that it is a noticeable chunk of particular creature's life. I would focus more on spell casting as time goes on, and then use the melee as an option. Kind of like how a melee character may have a ranged weapon as an 'option'.
It is a large enough chunk, and you are mobile enough with it that you can use it at a moment's notice... you can probably finish off a weakened boss before he gets another turn. It is good enough that it can fill that niche- finishing off enemies that the rest of the party would have to spend full attacks on since it would take 2 more hits.
I will also say this- it could potentially make a good reach caster. Y'know- like the reach cleric. Someone that spends their turn casting, and then uses AoOs for their melee damage. Since painful stare can be activated on any turn, it could get some decent damage in that way with little action investment. Admittedly, it only works on the thing you targeted with your swift action earlier- so not entirely ideal. Still, I could see it having its moments.
I believe our party will, so far, have a vitalist, a ranger that will probably go with bows and intends to take the trait to disable magical traps, and the other two or three players have not decided yet. I absolutely plan to take the ability to use my powers on undead as soon as possible, by the way. I love being able to control people or at least make things harder for them.
I see...
Have you given the archetype: Vexing Daredevil a look? They are probably the most viable melee Mesmerist you can make. Martial Weapon Proficiency... Improved/Greater Feint combo.. It's pretty neat.
EDIT: Ahh I noticed you were planning on taking Psychic Inception asap. That gets replaced with this archetype. Cancel this suggestion..
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In that case, you don't really have to rely on strength to do damage at all. You can leave it at 12 and boost dex and charisma as much as you can. Painful stare will keep your damage at reasonable levels.
Level 1 Feat: Intimidating Glance
Swift action intimidate will do wonders for debuffing everything about a more dangerous opponent. Every single one of your allies, be they spellcasters or melee bruisers will benefit from this.
Level 3 Feat: Weapon Finesse.
This helps your accuracy greatly. And it helps synergize offense and defense more importantly. At this point you don't need to worry about more damage because you're dealing an extra 1d6+1 precision damage with your painful stare. That means even your sword cane will be dealing around 2d6+2 damage at this point. Pretty damned decent.
Level 5 Feat: Battle Cry
A swift action to give everyone within 30ft a +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and a +4 morale bonus on will saves vs Fear. That's not even the best part. Any time during this minute, anyone under this effect can re-roll a failed save (ANY SAVE). This is priceless. Your charisma will be high enough that you'll easily be able to use it 3-4 times per day. It's great support that helps keep your team in one piece. It requires 5 ranks in perform or some nonsense.. Easily worth the price.
As for spells:
I would recommend Grease, Ill Omen, Ray of Enfeeblement or Silent Image.
All of them are extremely helpful in situations. Ray of Enfeeblement can really ruin a bosses day, even if they succeed at the save. And higher dex means you hit more often. Ill Omen for when you wanna SUPER debuff someone's will save and open them up to another spell from a friendly spellcaster. Grease cause grease is fun and hilarious. Silent Image because there are so many fun and creative uses for it.
I hope you find this advice useful.
EDIT: I JUST noticed the saves on your sheet are wrong. Your Base Reflex save bonus should be 2, not Zero.
Wasn't Battle Cry clarified in the ACG errata to only allow rerolls to saving throws against fear effects?
specifically
Page 142—In the Battle Cry feat's Benefit section, in the final paragraph's first sentence, add “against a fear effect” after “fails a saving throw”
Always check the errata before using anything from the ACG, since that book's a minefield.
PFFT, Errata Shmerrata :p My group literally ignores 3/4ths the stuff that gets changed effect wise. But in this case, I'd ask the DM to see if he'd allow the pre-errata'd version.
It is in Occult Adventures:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/intimidating-glance-combat
Couple it with a Cruel weapon when you can afford it, and you'll be debuffing like a champ in no time.
Looking awesome!
As for Craft Wondrous Items... I'd say wait til at least 5th level. Most of the really useful stuff has a minimum CL of 5 anyways. After that, go nuts! Mask of the Mesmerist is something I'm planning on crafting for my mesmerist as well. At that point I'll be pushing around a -9 or 10 penalty to attack rolls against my character with a fully debuffed enemy.
MORE IMPORTANTLY: A feat is a very limited character resource.. And early on, you're very starved for feats. Demand a little bit of compensation for your time spent crafting as a character. Have your friends characters pitch in for scrolls, potions, wands and whatnot with the OODLES of money they save having you half price their most expensive magic items.
I think you need Spellcraft to craft wondrous items. And you have it.
Looking at your other skills, I think you're good...
I'd spare a few points later on for stealth and sleight of hand as they will play very well with your higher dex mod. Knowledge(arcana) could use a rank later as well. But honestly I think you've used your skill points very wisely for 1st level.
As for spells, Already suggested some earlier that I see as clear winners.
Both those spells seem serviceable to me. Well done!
I think spellcraft still works the same way with these spells. It's just different visual components. Emotional components would probably involve you making a certain type of expression on your face or assuming a certain posture. Psychic spellcasting still provokes AoO's like any other sort of spellcasting, so it stands to reason that there are visual cues that tell someone when an opponent is using psychic magic because they have either visibly dropped their guard (allowing for an AoO) Or they are struggling to concentrate on defending themselves while using their ability.
That's the way I have interpreted it.
Hope you have fun with your Mesmerist!