RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
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Honestly, I mostly prefer to separate classes/archetypes from their "default" flavor and create a character that I think is properly represented by the mechanics. Maybe it happens to overlap with default flavor, or maybe not.
That said, clerics are inherently tied to the flavor of the setting - in PFS at least, clerics must serve a specific deity, and those deities are campaign-specific, so clerics in PFS are therefore mechanically tied to the campaign setting to a degree unparalleled by any other class. And they're really strong, too.
If you're pretty set on an archetype instead of playing a class right out of the box, the Separatist archetype of the cleric is very lore-rich.
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Oathbound Paladin (specifically Oath of Vengeance) seems fairly common. I see a lot of urban barbarians and rangers. Gunslingers with archetypes are fairly common as well.
For PrCs, I agree they are quite uncommon. To be fair, like you said there is a lot that is given up powerwise to become a prestige class (most obvious one being favored class bonus). I have always been a bit bummed by that, since I do like the idea of prestige classes, but I think they are best suited for homegames over PFS.
PrCs, I have seen at least once: Eldritch Knight, Shadowdancer, Arcane Trickster, Arcane Archer, Stalwart Defender
That said, I am now running my first PrC in PFS, a Wizard 5/Bloatmage 1 and I did it for pure RP reasons (it's pretty good power-wise, but still). My Tiefling is quite... rotund already, and Bloatmage seemed the perfect fit. She already claims to be the niece of the Paracountess, and as a chelaxian tiefling was sent to "boarding school" to Kaer Maga where she became a bloatmage initiate. Having tons of fun so far.
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Have not seen any prestige classes except playing modules back when you made a new character if you did not have a high-level character, where I made a Hellknight and Aswan Arcane Archer, but I do see lots of archetype. I have a Bladebound magus, Winter Witch archetype leading into the PrC, and a Crypt Breaker/Chirugeon alchemist. I have seen several gunslinger archetypes, two Mindchymists, and a Dervish Dancer.
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I was looking at Shieldmarshal from Paths of Prestige, and it seems like a pretty great gunslinger prestige class that has some flavor attached (being part of the chief law enforcement of Alkenstar).
Balanced Scale of Abadar seems like a pretty decent prestige class that is grounded into PFS play. After all, the followers of Abadar run the bank. Plus you eventually get to pull items from the First Vault (or at least some people believe).
Hellknight and Hellknight Signifer are pretty cool prestige classes fit for a Chelaxian.
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I play a rogue with the Pirate archetype, and that's been a lot of fun from a RP perspective (and being skilled on a ship has come into play more than once already). I was excited about the Inner Sea Pirate PrC for her before that splatbook came out, but when I read that PrC, it was so weak that I dismissed it, and I'm just sticking with the core class for her.
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The 12th level cap is kind of a deterrent for PrCs IMHO. Just as you are getting good at your class you switch to the PrC.
I will be dumping all of my future GM credits (hah hah ''all...') into one character that will be built around the PrC. Not sure what that is yet, because I wanted a PF-specific PrC. Otherwise elemental kin-barbarian/Dragon Disciple. Partially I am planning this so I can focus on the PrC and not get attached to base class. Mostly doing this because I felt cheated not getting to play my character for a whole level :)
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PrC's are still fun, I have a Pathfinder Savant, I haven't played that character for a while.
Though thematically you can build a character concept that can really be fun.
Since running Skulls and Shackles, Besmara has become my favorite God. I had been thinking of the Master Spy PrC since the APG came out. I have a Cleric of Besmara/gunslinger that plans on taking either ninja or rogue classes till I get to level 8 to become a Master Spy. Mechanically weak, flavorfully powerful :). Expectations of fun times are very high.
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Lore Warden is always fun. Pick a rogue archetype, any archetype, and its fun and flavorful. Sorcerers can be extremely varied (3 different casting stats, more bloodlines than I can remember) and very useful. Sacred Shield Paladins are great, as are Oath of Charity Paladins.
And then we have clerics. Who just can't help being flavorful. Over a dozen Gods, and each one has 5 domains to choose from. You can't go wrong! Well, if you worship someone other than Abadar, I guess that's going wrong, but...
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My sunstruck Osirioni monk became a Living Monolith, but I haven't had much opportunity to run him lately...
"One .. Two ... TWO OSIRIANI LIVING MONOLITHS!! AH-ah-ah-AH!!"
No, on a more serious note, I was figuring that if I waited just a little bit, another Living monolith might come out of the woodwork. I play Qa'Pelos, a "Risen" human warrior who is tied tightly to the traditions of ancient Osirion. I'm glad to see that there's at least one more out there right now. Oh, and James, would that monk Be Aconite the Acolyte? What level is he now, and stuff? I'd like to put him in my list that I kee- ... hm. Wait, Maybe a PM is better. ;)
Right, back on topic ... so, yeah, I think that the Living Monolith is tied *so* tightly to the lore of Osirion, it's downright cool. One day, each one shall be (literally) immortal and stand as living statues, guarding the honored dead's tombs, and the Pharaoh's final resting place, for the rest of whatever. :) And especially if one has things like the Pharaoh's Crook of Order, and the Amulet of Glory, both gifted by the Ruby Prince himself, or are a member of the Risen Guard ... Osirion stuff is really integrated to the feel of the setting, for me.
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I don't think its an issue that archetypes are not being played. On the contrary, I think they are being used much more than not. Its just that many players do not actually play their character in such a way that their archetype is apparent to other players. Unless they do something cool or perform an action in ways others cannot, it doesn't come up in play for them. The more flavor a character has, the more likely their archetype is apparent.
I think archetypes should be used more by authors in scenarios as well. It seems to be happening, but just saying. And it should be an archetype that adds flavor as well as mechanical gains. There is a scenario where the NPCs are pirates and you fight them on a ship. They have rogue levels, but do they have the pirate archetype? Nope. I think we missed an opportunity there.
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I was at Paizo Con a couple years ago and sat at a table of four with two Chelaxian Hellknights.
When both knights failed their saves versus confusion, my Andoran cleric of Besmera sat back and watched the show of the two knights beating on each other after all our foes were down.
Good Times
that might have been my table :)
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I had a Detective Bard who dipped a couple of levels in Lore Warden, mainly so he could disarm with his swordbreaker dagger. (Half-elven alternate racial feature gave him proficiency in it right off the bat). Between disarms, Sleep and masterwork manacles, he was great at low levels, arresting Aspis goons left and right! At higher levels, thanks to things with natural attacks and DR, he's ending up out of his league.
Also, it was fun to mix up detective noir with a magic Rennaisance.
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The trouble I have whenever I look at PrCs for my characters is that they aren't very well realized by level 12 (meaning clunky high level play). I adore archetypes as a design concept, though. All of my characters except one uses an archetype; two of them are setting/flavor oriented. They are: Crossbowman (Fighter)/Sniper (Rogue), Winter Witch/Winter Witch PrC (woot!), and a Vudrani raised Ifrit Dawnflower Dervish (Bard). I have a Tengu Monk of the Four Winds, but he doesn't see play very often.
I have plans to make a very special Cleric/Hellknight Signifer concept when I send a new level 1 out of the gate =D