Hey guys, so I'm new to D&D and am unfortunately having to leave a group I joined a couple of weeks back because I'm moving. I want to share my experiences with you though, so I can get some feedback on what to make with my new character (I found a new group where I'm moving to).

In this Pathfinder game I opted for a Fighter.

We were running an epic fantasy game (25 points to spend), had 25,000 gold to spend and started at level 8. After equipment and feat modifiers I had about:

19 STR
16 CON
14 DEX
12 INT
10 WIS
10 CHA
107 hit points
22 AC (w/ full plate armor)
+ Mobility
+2 Shocking Greatsword (2d6+1d6+9 dmg)
+19/+14 base atk bonus

My feats were primarily focused in maximizing weapon accuracy, my AC + Improved Trip, Greater Trip (which was worthless since I never managed to trip an enemy).

When we started the game, I thought the build was pretty awesome...... then my party and I entered combat. I don't know if the monsters we were facing were too tough, but the first battle we fought, I didn't land any hits and was reduced to about 50 health in two hits.

I landed a couple more hits in subsequent fights, with each hit dealing 20-24 dmg (I tended to miss on the second attack when doing a full-round attack). I almost always got hit by the enemy, who tended to do 30-40 dmg (60 once on a crit, I think). To put it simply, I felt like I was doing crap damage and taking a lot of damage (And mind you, I was tackling one enemy at a time).

The most damage I did was around 80, when I maneuvered past two enemies and activated a trap I had seen them use earlier in combat.

This wouldn't have been a problem except the Cleric in our group didn't heal others - only buff himself - and everybody else was averaging 35+ damage and hitting far more often with spells and slingshots, and dodging way better (I was the only melee character). Oh, and one of the characters had a familiar or animal companion that was well buffed and managed more damage and more dodges (granted the player was running a beta class - something lizard or dragon-like with a familiar with three tails).

Whining aside, I'm wondering where I went wrong on my build? Or is the damage output/input normal for level 8 Fighters? I did read somewhere that pure Fighters are worthless at higher levels, but I couldn't pass up a melee character.

Also, I'm joining a new group, starting at level 2. I'm thinking of making a halfling paladin build (so I can have swift self-heals, smite evil and a medium-sized mount for tight spaces) or a halfling archer (so I don't waste time running around). Any suggestions? I don't want to play Druid, as I've played it before and already know how overpowered they can be. I'm not much for spellcasters either.
Any advice you can provide for someone who has been playing 3.5/Pathfinder for only 4 months would also be great! :)

Thanks in advice and sorry if I came off as a huge whiner. But I do love melee classes and hope to make good use of one in this next game!

Were these stats before or after modification due to race, Stat increases @ Lv's 4 & 8?

Sound like U needed better protective items like amulets, bracers, dragonhide or magical armor. Also maybe need weapon focus. Magic weapons.

I've played several fighters. Sometimes they do well if they can get into melee combat. Other times range combat have to make em a temp archer.

Not sure if U were playing a human as they get a bonus feat @ creation.

Iinvest in some potions of cure light, moderet, serious wound.

Check w/ DM to see if you caluctated you weapons ATK bonus correctly. If you did then find some way of boosting it (magic, focus, expertise)

A nice option for melee characters in 3.5 is Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords.