Just wanted to start a discussion about this and see what everyone else does.

But to me if I'm not playing as a build from level 1 then I'm not really playing as that build, you know?

I got to thinking about this while reading lots of builds online to get some ideas for D2R, especially on sites like maxrollgg, and found that most recommended starting as something completely different (like a lightning javazon starting as a fire bowazon) until reaching somewhere in the level 40-75 range, then switching to whatever endgame build you were actually looking for. I prefer the fantasy of playing as the same build from 1-99, utilizing synergies so that I can transition from an early game skill to a late game skill within the same build. I just don't like the idea of respecing my character from an 'early game build' to an 'endgame' build.

However this sentiment also applies to other ARPGs I've played more recently, including D2 mods. To preface: I've never beaten Hell difficulty, I only really played as a kid and typically gave up in NM so maybe that explains some things haha.