
Normal Pathetic Caster |

Although this is only a playtest lets talk about character optimization. With how wonky monster stats currently are this may be an exercise in futility, but it may still provide some insight.
So post your optimized character builds and lets see how big of a difference they are versus say the iconic level 1 pre-generated characters.

HWalsh |
For Paladin my optimal stats were:
Human
01: 18/12/10/10/12/16
05: 19/14/12/10/12/18 (Str/Dex/Con/Cha)
10: 20/14/14/10/14/19 (Str/Con/Wis/Cha)
15: 21/14/16/10/16/20 (Str/Con/Wis/Cha)
20: 22/14/18/12/18/20 (Str/Con/Int/Wis)
Final stats:
24/14/18/12/18/20
My level 1 build used Natural Ambition to get Warded Touch and Diety's Domain as a Paladin of Iomedae.
4 Spell Points per day for 1d4+3 Healing is kind of poor, but it's not too bad when combined with using a Heavy Steel Shield it works.
Forget Ret Strike, it is rare that you'll get to use it.
- For the two handed Paladin you use the same stats, swap Deity's Domain for Hospitalier Knight and follow Shelyn.
Using a glaive means that you'll use Ret Strike far more often and the extra healing helps mitigate the lack of a Shield.

Gaterie |
Although this is only a playtest lets talk about character optimization. With how wonky monster stats currently are this may be an exercise in futility, but it may still provide some insight.
So post your optimized character builds and lets see how big of a difference they are versus say the iconic level 1 pre-generated characters.
Do we have to follow the rules or can we cheat? eg it's easier to optimize an alchemist when we can simply ignore Bulk like Fumbus...

Dasrak |

This is the problem. I should not have to multiclass into anything if I want to play an optimal character.
Yeah, multiclassing is a matter of "when" and not "if" for the vast majority of builds currently. Sadly I don't think it can be nerfed much either, because PF2 multiclassing is very vulnerable to power creep. PF1 multiclassing could make use of new archetypes that were released so it tracked the system overall with power creep; PF2 multiclass archetypes are pretty much fixed in stone, so Paizo probably needs to overtune them now if they're to remain relevant two or three years down the line.

citricking |

It's never optional to have odd ability scores, so an optimal character would have a different starting array depending on if they're levels 1-4, 5-9, 10-14, or 15-19.
There's really not too much optimization possible when building a character currently. The most important thing for making an optimal spell caster is avoiding most of the spells/powers which are quite bad, and selecting the few that are decent or good.
For level 1 an optimized character almost always has 16 or 18 dex.
Some good character options are a fighters certain strike, bards inspire heroics or heroism, sorcs going MC paladin for channel life.

Gaterie |
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For level 1 an optimized character almost always has 16 or 18 dex.
... With clerics as the only exception: since they can remove one round of damage (or more) in one action, it's a question of choice to have max Dex (so less incoming damages) or Cha (so more heal).
Now look at the level 5 iconics in the focus playtest: Amiri has Dex 16 and it's her second best score, Fumbus has Dex 18 and it's his best score, Merisiel has Dex 18 and it's her best score, Seoni has Dex 16 and it's her second best score, Valeros has Dex 16 and it's his second best score. And finally Kyra has better Cha than Dex (and she has Dex 14 nonetheless; in PF1 she had 10 and it was her lowest score). qed. Even the designers acknowledge Dex is the most important stat (after your classe's main stat).
edit/side note: Dex 16 is at a sweet spot when you can wear medium armor: max AC with limited ACP. So I'm not sure Amiri or Valeros could have a better stat array.

RealAlchemy |
I put together an elven paladin of Sarenrae using a bastard sword to play with 1H/2H action switching economy, and I've played him at L1 and L5 in the playtest. At L1, I went Str 16, Con 12, Wis 10, Dex 14, Int 12, Cha 14. L1 power deity's domain to get fire ray, and racial otherworldly magic to get the shield cantrip. I hadn't looked over the heriages much since the 1.4 update, but probably keen eared because perception is initiative a lot of the time. A usual combat round was shield/stride/strike or shield/strike/domain fire ray vs touch. I did sometimes start holding a bow to make round 1 fire bow/shield/drop bow (free)/draw bastard sword.

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I will try it as OP asked for lvl 1.
Ancestry:
Elf, Heritage [Cavern], Feat [Weapon Familiarity (Elf)]
Background:
Sailor
Class:
Rogue, Rogue Technique [Finesse Striker], Sneak Attack (1d6), Surprise Attack, Skill Feat (catfall), Skills (Acrobatics +5, Arcana +2, Athletics +2, Deception +3, Diplomacy +3, Intimidation +3, Performance +3, Society +3, Stealth +5, Thievery +5)
Ability Scores:
Str 10, Dex 18, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 14
Equipment:
Studded leather, Elven Curveblade, Dagger (2), Backpack, Bedrol, Ordinary Clothes (2), Piton (10), Ration (4), Silk Rope, Pup Tent, Thieves' Tools, Waterskin
Total Bulk: 5
Remaining Silver: 28.9
Combat:
HP: 15
Attack=+5/+0/-5 (Elven Curveblade); +5/+1/-3 (Dagger)
Damage=1d8+1d6+4~12/1d8+1d6+5~13/1d8+1d6+6~14 (Elven Curveblade w/ Sneak Attack); 1d4+1d6+4 (Dagger w/ Sneak Attack)
AC=17
TAC=15
Fort=+2
Reflex=+6
Will=+3
Perception=+3