Good Spells Know for a Dragonborn Valor Bard Pirate?

[Luccan]

I'm starting with a new IRL group soon and decided I wanted to play the mentioned character. I'd like some help picking spells and cantrips he would use in his life as a pirate. I welcome suggestions from any book, but the table may be limited to PHB for the time being, as our DM is still fairly new.

[smcmike]

A pirate should be good at intimidating people. Friends is pretty good for that.

A Pirate can win a fight by knocking people overboard. Thunderwave is good for that.

Fear does both of the above.

Silence is useful for surprise attacks and disabling enemy spellcasters, who are a big threat to pirate ships. If you are doing a lot of actual shipboard combat, it’s worth asking about effects that emanate from “points,” and whether those points can be tied to a moving ship or not.

[Nifft]

What level?

[Luccan]

What level?

Good question. I think we'll be starting at level 1, but higher level suggestions are good too. I do want to make his past a part of his choices in magic.