This is why I’m the rules guy in my board game group. I sit down, absorb the rulebook, think about edge cases and check online for answers, simulate a game on my own, and then I get everyone together to sit down and learn the game.
Turns out the ability to hold the rules to like 6 different board games in my head, while not vital for daily life, is a superpower that I intend to fully use.
I play a wood-elf monk in my current campaign, and part of the power fantasy for me is being fast, lithe, and graceful. I think people may go for high elves for the majestic, pristine, timeless feels. And Drow for a sort of “tainted perfection” vibe? Not sure.