I agree.
what would a TR get you really?
If you were a barbarian you would get 10 HP and a couple build points. but remember, build points are not stat points. So really important stats you cant really move for 2 points as they would already be maxed or close to it. it means slightly less important stats might move up and that might make a point of difference for something....
lets consider con. IF you had low CON you might get 1 more HP per level ... so at leve l20 you would have 20 HP from the build points and 10 HP from a past life barbarian. or 30 HP...
well. you could have made yourself a green steel HP item for 45 HP... plus some exceptional stat boost. (that is the entire stat, not just the build point).
run the shround and get a plus 2 stat tom... way more important than the build points. (no time for that go buy yourself a plus 4 tome)... if it matters that much.
One of the characters you mentioned in the OP was a paladin. they get 5% more healing amplification for a past life, but you can make a green steel itelm to get you 70% more. why tell them to TR?
Step one... level up, step 2, get the gear to make you more effective. In teh meantime, run again with a different class or race and experinment for fun if u really dont want to TR your character.... the first lives are a little weaker, but if u can provide gear and gold they will be fine and because it takes way less exp, that more than makes up for the fewer build points..... By sending gold and gear over you cna make that one a lot easier to run too and maybe plan to TR it. make rogues and clerics for big undead pits, and make rangers for wilderness areas. explore the world.