That's what we're being asked to do, to salvage the fighter. However since we don't know anything beyond 6th level dwarf fighter I'm stuck giving advice based on the assumption that the player has already chosen his weapon and armor preferences and thus needs advice on how to make use of whatever he's already chosen, and power-charging with a throwing axe seems a little silly.
Then may I suggest we not hand out bad advice?
As for bounding not granting a full attack equivalent, ok, it doesn't really, but how often does that last attack hit anyway?
Does that mean the Bounding line of feats, which you were recommending just a moment ago, are actually worthless?
I've read through them and I noticed that, with Rapid Blitz, you are an 18th level character at least, who gets 3 attacks at three different targets, at regular AB, regular -5, and regular -10.
Your iterative attacks as an 18th level fighter are BAB +18/+13/+8/+3, which is regular AB, regular -5, regular -10, and regular -15.
The two feats from the PHB2 not only give you extra attacks at a later date than your iterative attacks, but give you fewer attacks. Plus, they take away several feats. This really does not seem like a good trade.
So either give some more useful advice like that line about Power attack + charge optimization
I mean, compare the Bounding feats to something like a dip in the Spirit Lion Totem barbarian, which grants Pounce, which
is a full attack on a charge. With a few levels in fighter for Leap Attack and Shock Trooper, and a Greatsword, you can now PA for full, assign all that negative penalty to your AC, and change your Power Attack damage/penalty ratio from 2:1 to 3:1. At level 6, which is about when this combo comes online, you can deal 2d6+1.5*5+3*6 damage per attack. That's an average of 32.5 points of damage on your first attack, assuming a strength score of 20, on your first attack. Your second may or may not hit the enemy, but at least you get it before level 12, and don't have to invest in a subpar chain of feats for the attack.
A CR 6 encounter like the
Chain Devil has an AC of 20, DR 5 silver or good, and 52 HP. A level 6 barbarian/fighter has an AB of +12, assuming 20 Strength and a +1 Greatsword. With a +2 bonus from charging, he has a 70% chance of landing his first hit, which will reduce the Chain Devil to about 25 hit points - about half the monster's health. The second attack is at AB +9 and has a 45% chance of hitting.
A fighter with two +1 short swords, and a Strength of 20 has one attack on a charge. It is at AB 14 and deals 1d6+6 damage. This is probably insufficient. Even if you were full attacking, the AB and damage would be +12/+12/+7 for 1d6+6/1d6+3/1d6+6 damage. Even if they all hit, the DR of a Chain Devil laughs at the flurry of papercuts he has just been subject to.
An archer shoots two +1 arrows at AB +14 each of which deals 1d8+6 damage. (Yes, I'm assuming a 20 in both Strength and Dex). Again, this seems insufficient. Rapid Shot allows you to fire off an extra arrow at a -2 penalty for all attacks, in which case you have three arrows at AB +12 each for 1d8+6 damage. Due to DR, even if they all hit, you're only dealing 1d8+1 damage each. Point Blank Shot helps at close ranges, but being within 30 feet of a Chain Devil and wielding a ranged weapon seems like a very bad idea.
Have a nice day.
