One truth that has proven itself time and time again as I have built optimized pathfinder characters is that all optimized characters involve innate magical abilities of some kind or another. While magical items can help, the truth is not enough. Further, good luck getting all of the magical items that you need to round off your character. Thus, optimizing normally involves playing or multiclassing in a spellcasting class, having spell-like abilities and/or being proficient with Use Magic Device.
A second truth is that will saves have got to be taken care of. Too many things can simply shut you down via a will save. After that, you are helpless, panicked, weakened or attacking your teammates. This is unacceptable. Iron Will, Improved Iron Will, Decent Wisdom, Racial or Campaign Traits for Will Saves, Class Abilities for Will Saves, dips classes with Will Save bonuses, etc… are your friends.
Third, mobility, mobility and more mobility is key. Diminished mobility can shut down a melee PC effectiveness. Enhanced mobility can increase a melee marital PC effectiveness. So the key is to protect against those things that diminish mobility and to grab those things that increase mobility. Do not disrespect mobility. Enough said.
Fourth, it’s called Enlarge Person. Get some. Increased damage, reach, and the attacks of opportunity that result from increased size and reach are too much to pass up. I know this is a spell and can generally fall under the first truth (spellcasting), but it is overlooked far too often for the awesomeness that it is for melee fighters. Accordingly, I point it out.
Fifth, kick some serious tail in your own unique way. Don’t be hodgepodge. There should be a purpose to what you do and a common theme to how you do it. This helps you team members know where they fit into your style and how you mesh with theirs. Consistent and effective abilities are the key to an optimized melee character. You should be able to pass the super hero name test. If you can’t give your character a super hero name after at most 5 levels, then your build lacks focus.
Sixth, but not least, your melee fighter should have some type of ranged ability. This normally is as simple as giving your 20 strength character a +5 composite bow and maybe deadly aim. Sometimes it is acquiring a ranged ability. Regardless how you get your range attack on, you need to get it on.
Last, there are exceptions to every rule. Further, sometimes you can make a melee character that follows most, but not all, of the rules above that will be highly effective. None
