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It's not only a matter of technique to study theoretical endgames. Although considerations of theoretical endgames are of tactical nature they are important also from a strategical perspective because the capabilities of the pieces create certain motives that are quite important, and sometimes surface already in opening and middlegame. An obvious example is the sacrifice of the light piece on the opponent's remaining pawn(s). Although the opponent has a Bishop or Knight against a lonely King, this is not enough for win. Such factors affect the whole game, from the beginning. The fact that the Rook cannot win against light piece in the ending, is underlying the common motif of the positional sacrifice of a Rook against Knight or Bishop in the middlegame. Tigran Petrosian often used this idea. These sacrifices bring no tactical advantage, but are strictly positional.

(I have now improved the opening play in my Mastodon Chess (8x10))