Athlete and Mobile are also pretty fun, upon review of the phb.
Keen Mind and Linguist can be very fun, depending on campaign.
Skilled is boring to read but adds much more to a character that is actually interesting in terms of how it affects play than most of the most powerful feats. Prodigy is a more interesting version of it, but shouldn’t be restricted by race.
But even those aren’t as fun as Wood Elf Magic, IMO.
Yep, I agree with all of that.I am not against the MOAR damage feats per se but agree that people do often overlook other opportunity for flavor.
I want to give my blade Pact warlock GWM. He is a dwarf with an alcohol problem that swings a maul with abandon. I don't want him to be too "castery" and am saying he talks to his maul and is haunted by this sabotaging gift from mammon.
I am making the maul a centerpiece of his character. Big swings seem fun, hit or miss.
But I am with you in many respects on the flavor issue. I think loading a tiefling with devilish feats would be a blast.
I like to take feats to establish history as well. For example, I started a fighter who was planned to be eldritch knight. I took sage background with magic initiate at first level. It made it less jarring at third level to take on the subclass.
I was already into the idea of a casting warrior from
Inception.
I guess I see the value in all of these if they help the player "get into it."