Polearm "Tank" Build

[The Blatant Rook]

Looking at all sorts of builds today and the question came up of building a "tank" (as much as it can be a tank in a game like Pathfinder) that uses polearms.

I am looking at Fighter. For defensive purposes Phalanx soldier seems better, but polearm master builds upon the polearms advantages (namely reach and trip). Phalanx allows my character to still use a shield and wield his polearma one handed, but is that worth what I might miss out on from polearm master?

I also kind of detest feats that give you penalties to hit while giving bonuses to other things, like power Attack and Combat Expertise, but doesn't seem like I'm getting out of those with a polearm user

[PhoenixSlayer]

I was playing a Polearm Master myself for a homebrew game before our cleric player couldn't make games anymore and I had him "reborn" as a Paladin. Reach and Trip is an excellent combo for area control, and I was working towards Felling Smash to make full use of the feats I already had. Fondest memory is standing in front of the doorway of a burning tavern and outright slaughtering mooks trying to escape while the rest of the party saved captives. He earned the nickname "The Redhammer" after that one.

[Devilkiller]

Speaking as somebody who has played some shield using PCs, giving up the extra 1/2 Str mod and increased Power Attack damage can hurt pretty bad. That's not to say it can't work, but if you want reach and a shield you could also consider playing a mounted PC with a lance. The lance can be wielding with one hand while you're mounted, but it still counts as a two-handed weapon for Str bonus and Power Attack.

Feats like Tandem Trip and Paired Opportunists could make the PC and mount quite a dynamic duo in combat. Whether mounted or not you could also consider the Lunge feat once it is available since it could let you hit enemies from far enough away that they'll still suffer AoOs if they move up to attack you in return.

[Paradozen]

If you want Phalanx Soldier for the polearm and shield gimmick, you might be better off with shield brace from the Armor Master's Handbook. It lets you use a two-handed spear or polearm and a shield, but you take the shield's ACP on attack rolls. Pick up a darkwood shield and you can stick with base fighter for advanced weapon training (more skills, a better will save, and more damage), and advanced armor training (DR, AC bonus, and more skills).