But I've heard of tables where it was four characters, all fighters. And they still completed the mission. Skills are not intrinsically needed in any PFS module. Damned handy, yes -- but not absolutely necessary.
I see you haven't met the chase mechanic yet. My fighter played the roll of the stereotype fat cop in chase scenes from any movie ever. The bard and ranger, however...
Skills appear to be the wave of the future. Still disproportionately Perception, but other skills are popping up more and more often from what I see.
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I play a rogue in PFS (lvl 10 in 1 scenario) and I get more use of out of Diplomacy, Bluff, Perception, and Intimidate then any other skill. While I have kept my stealth maxed, I am convinced it is useless, since your 5 other compatriots will lumber through everything.
That being said, I very much enjoy playing my rogue. I like rolling big handfuls of dice, I enjoy making people do something because I convinced them to, and just the general interaction I have with other players. I have yet to sit with anyone who didn't appreciate having my skill set at the table.
As for the archetypes that basically make *random class* into a rogue, those, IMO, are patently stupid.
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If you can provide more detailed info, such as what PF materials you have availble to you beyond the core assumption, what type of skill monkey (face, lockpicker, infiltrator), and how you want to handle combat (archer, thrower, swashbuckler), I'm sure this forum can get more useful.
Some VERY general advise:
1. Pick a rogue concept you think will be fun. It can't be useless in combat, so figure out what you want to do for weapons: archer, two weapons, a double weapon, a reach weapon. (I'm not sure what Pathfinder materials you own, so I can't be more specific.)
2. Race: some races have more synergy with the Rogue with others, but anything works.
3. Pick stats that will help your concept. An rogue speciallizing in archery or two weapon fighting is going to want at least a 16 dexterity. A rogue who wants to be a face/diplomancer needs a minimum 14 charisma. You have enough skill points that you don't "need" a high intelligence, but it can't hurt a skill-monkey rogue.
4. Archetyps, talents, and prestige classes: figure out where you want to go and pick options that get you there. Trap spotter is a great talent, but make sure you remind your GM you have it when you sit down. The Master Spy prestige class from the APG, works with a lot of skill monkey builds if you want to build for it.
5. Skills: Perception, Disable Device, and Use Magic Item, are pretty much required. Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and maybe Disguise are required for diplomancers. Sleight of Hand is so iconic that it needs a few ranks, even if you rarely use it. There are a lot skills worth getting one rank in just for the class skill bonus (Swimming).
6. Feats: depends on your concept. Toughness is always good for PFS. Improved Initiative is always a valid choice, more so for a rogue. Equipment Trick (Rope) from the PFS Field Guide looks fun, though certainly not optimal.
7. Equipment: as a skill monkey, on top of the PFS suggested stuff like wands of cure light wounds, pick lots of cheap mundane stuff: chalk, disguise kits, alchemists fire.
8. Weapons, concept specific, but at least one melee weapon and one ranged weapon. Purchase a sap if you have no other way to do non lethal damage without the -4 penalty.
Putting myself in the place of the OP; I would be extraordinarily frustrated if I asked for advice on creating a rogue only to have so many people trying to talk me out of it.
To be fair, if you want build advice it should be for a role/character concept and should NOT be locked into a given class breakdown.
Now I agree with you that a rogue can be done well, but if other people are more comfortable with other classes and can't seem to achieve what the OP desired using the rogue class then they are either being helpful or taunting.
I have to agree. Playing a roguish charaacter does not men you have to play a rogue. What people tend to want in roguish characters is disable, perception, stealth, and face skills. Some people also like roguish combat styles. Others simply want to contribute somehow in combat.
Other classes are simply more effective at performing these functions than rogue, except when you desire roguish combat styles with the skills. Viv alchemists for example are better at rogue style combat, but fall short in the full range of roguish skills. Bards are better at skills and combat contribution, but fall short in rogue style combat.
This might be frustrating but understading what the player wants from a rogue style character is vital to providing advice. For example, people gave advice on rogues like "use the biggest weapon you can get." This is great advice if you simply want to contribute in combat, but it will be frustrating if you want a more classic light weapon rogue. There is a reason people don't recommend daggers in PF, but some people want them. It mighht be frustrating, but people are making experience proven suggestions and are not trying to be annoying.