Make a fighter

[Geiger Counter]

I keep hearing that a lot of the fighter's feats are kind of useless compared to the abilities granted to most other classes. I want to know how to build a decent fighter. I would like anyone who responds to this post to make a 20 level character using only the fighter as a base class. You can take prestige classes however.

[Frosty]

Then you'll probably see 6 levels of Fighter (9 if you're lucky) and 14 levels of PrCs.

[Tinydwarfman]

Ever heard of the 'Gatling Chain Gun' Tripper? Or Jack B. Quick? Also check out the Fighter Handbook

[Eldariel]

Well, here's one lying around in my corners:

Goliath Thug
1: Power Attack
2: Dungeoncrasher
3: Improved Bull Rush, Skill Focus: Intimidate (Zhentarim)
4: Resolute
6: Shock Trooper, Dungeoncrasher (improved)
8: Knockback
9: Imperious Command
10: Combat Reflexes
12: Robilar's Gambit, Martial Study
14: Martial Stance: Thicket of Blades
15: Mage Slayer
16: Defensive Sweep
18: Stand Still, Leap Attack

ACFs used:
Thug [Unearthed Arcana]
Dungeoncrasher [Dungeonscape]
Zhentarim Fighter [Champions of Valor Web Enhancement]

And yeah. It'd be better with Flaws, and you could consider giving up the extra skills for level 1 feat, which would get like...Pierce Magical Concealment in there, but yeah.

[Amphetryon]

Half-Elf Fighter 12/Champion of Corellon Larethian 3/Exotic Weapon Master 2/Ashworm Dragoon 3.

Feats: Combat Expertise, Improved Trip, EWP (Elven Courtblade), Mounted Combat, Ride-by Attack, Trample, Spirited Charge, Weapon Focus/GWFocus/WSpec/GWSpec (Elven Courtblade), Martial Study (Desert Wind: Blistering Flourish), Desert Wind Dodge, Martial Stance (DW: Flame's Blessing), Vital Recovery, Death Devotion.

Exotic Weapon Stunts: Show Off, Uncanny Blow.

[Petrocorus]

You can find a cool build here. The Horizon tripper.

[Gnaeus]

You can find a cool build here. The Horizon tripper.

It only has 1 level of fighter. Thats like saying that Monk1/Druid 19 is the best monk build in the game.

[WeeFreeMen]

It only has 1 level of fighter. Thats like saying that Monk1/Druid 19 is the best monk build in the game.

Isnt it?
I kid I kid.

As for fighter..
Chain Tripper
UberCharger
Dungeon Crasher
War Hulk

To name but a few popular builds.
Google holds the answers

[DeltaEmil]

Fighter is only a prerequisite for the prestige class you actually want to play.

[Person_Man]

Here's my stock Fighter advice:

Spoiler

Show

Fighter is actually quite a respectable choice up to ECL 12ish if you know what you're doing. The keys are alternate class features and careful feat selection (see combos above).

At level 1, Fighters get the Tower Shield for free. This in itself is useful. Races of Stone also lets you trade it away for Exotic Shield Proficiency, which has several uses. I suggest using it for a Gnome Battle Cloak, which is essentially a shield you wear on your back, which is essentially a free Animated shield. Or you can take the Extreme Shield if you want +3 AC without a To-Hit penalty (but don't care about making shield bash attacks). If you want a mounted build (which is one of your best core-ish options) then I suggest a Riding Shield.

At levels 2 and 6, Dungonscape lets you trade away feats for the Dungeoncrasher ability, which gives you massive damage when you Bull Rush an enemy into a wall or solid object. As others have opined, the easiest way to abuse this is through the Knockback feat. Check out Flaming Homer and the King of Pong. If you want to be less abusive and/or don't want to be a Goliath, then I suggest you be a Raptorian or Dragonborn for free flight (though it doesn't kick in until ECL 12). This lets you move above enemies, so that you can Bull Rush them into the floor. You can also get free Bull Rush attempts from the Shield of the Severed Hand (Complete Divine pg 102 or MIC) and/or Brutal Surge weapons (MIC). It's also worth mentioning that Dungeoncrasher damage is so high that even a single mundane Bull Rush per turn can kill most enemies.

At 2nd level or higher you can give up a Fighter bonus feat to gain the Resolute ability (Complete Champion). It allows you to immediately shift 1/2 your BAB to your Will Save. Hugely useful at mid to high levels, as Will Saves are often Save or Lose. Once you get to level 10 or higher I would definitely pick this one up, unless you can find some other form of mental protection.

A nifty web ad on gives you various buffs to your ability to Demoralize. The most important kicks in at 11th level, which lets you Demoralize as a Swift Action. This can be a powerful tool, especially when combined with the Imperious Command feat (Drow of the Underdark) which makes Demoralized enemies Cower.

Put that together, and you get respectable defense, strong offense, and two forms of battlefield control (Bull Rush and Fear). Pretty solid for any low to mid level melee build.