Almost 40 so which tatoos..

Came back after a multi year break and even back then i didn't have any tatoos on my character. So i figure this time around ill give it a try.

For a phantom ranger which tatoos (if any) would be good ones to get to help with leveling speed? It seem like a lot use +str - con and some +dex - con, but i'm not sure if they use that for other reasons like pvp or something, which i doubt i would do any of for a long time.

You could do both but it will decrease how much you can carry by quite a bit, and also you'll get stunned like it's going out of style. If you can afford a plated leather set and +4 str -4 con dyes that would give you a huge patk boost with the bow and still leave you with a reasonable amount of con. Of course someone much more experienced might have better advice for you.

imho Dark elve fighters can't really afford to lower Con all that much and their starter stats are pretty fine.

Like the above mentioned, get some plated leather instead from the Giran armor shop.

Came back after a multi year break and even back then i didn't have any tatoos on my character. So i figure this time around ill give it a try.

For a phantom ranger which tatoos (if any) would be good ones to get to help with leveling speed? It seem like a lot use +str - con and some +dex - con, but i'm not sure if they use that for other reasons like pvp or something, which i doubt i would do any of for a long time.

+4STR -4CON is good to max DPS
Do not nerf CON more than that as delf has th lowest CON
DEX is fine as it is, almost as good as the light elf, so do not nerf CON any more
At C grade, Plated Leather is the set, top common C jewels, Dark Screamer with Focus is the weapon and the hunting place is aligator island till level 49.
Me being poor, I used alternatively Spirit Sword*Raid Sword duals (+4 for focus SA), as the dagger is more expensive, but if you can afford the shot cost, the dagger allows optimal leveling speed.
At B grade, the PL set becomes a bit fragile, so at level 55 I changed it for BW light (much better PDef), but if you have a healer in party stick with PL till A grade.

+4 str -4con and get a plated leather set. youll do some impressive damage. dont touch your dex either.

+5dex +4str -9con and PL set.
At 52 get Doom Light Set.
Crit Rate>P Atk.

I have a PR subclass, too lazy to update my SIG.

I would say the best tats for a PR is NO tats. A PR is just fine the way they are, you cannot decrease con anymore. I would also recommend using plated leather until A grade when you will switch to Majestic, but PL is good right up to 70ish IMO. if its +6 or higher its definitely good till S grade for PVE as long as you have at least common A grade gloves and helm.