spell advice for a melee bard

[ohako]

right, so here's a feat path

human
1st: Weapon Finesse
1st: Diva Style
3rd: Combat Expertise
5th: Improved Feint
7th: Diva Strike
9th: Greater Feint
11th: Diva Advance

The idea being to pick up an agile shortsword, be in melee, sing inspire courage, and stab things dramatically. What are some good bard spells then? Especially spells not found in the CRB, please.

Any good spells that would normally provoke an AoO? Any spells that grant bonuses when using Combat Expertise, or when feinting?

[Chess Pwn]

heroism is a great spell for you. Good hope/haste is great at lv7 to lay down with the inspire courage.

[IfritSlasher]

I would think spells like Mirror Image and Blur/Displacement would be good defensive options since you're on the front lines.

If you have good ranks in Intimidate, Blistering Invective could be an option to deal damage and make it even harder for foes to hit you by demoralizing them.

Finally, if you wanna use the Voice of the Wild archetype, you can get access to fun spells like Lead Blades, Barkskin, and Blessing of the Salamander as well! It still retains Inspire Courage, so that still works!

[PCScipio]

The best bard spells ARE in the CRB.

1. Expeditious Retreat, Liberating Command, Saving Finale
2. Glitterdust, Heroism, Mirror Image, See Invisibility
3. Good Hope, Haste
4. Dance of a Hundred Cuts, Greater Invisiblity
5. Bard's Escape, Greater Dispel Magic

Get a lesser metamagic rod of extend for use on Good Hope.

[PrinceRaven]

Definitely some good option already mentioned, I'll add Dazzling Blade, Bladed Dash, Sense Vitals, Versatile Weapon & Primal Scream.

[PCScipio]

Forgot about Primal Scream — another good one. It`s not something you cast every day, but when you need it, it can be a lifesaver.

[FangDragon]

Allegro can also be sweet, although in most parties haste is better when available. Lesser metamagic rod of quickness is a good investment, at level 7 you can cast haste, good hope and inspire on level one and then go to town. Also useful for swift action mirror images.