I love that NPC stat building is not tied to PC stat building.
However. That being said. I know that it's allowable to do to use a PC stat block.
So what is the CR of a PC build made into an NPC?
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Pathfinder 2nd Edition does not use CR. Paizo decided that using level directly for constructing challenges was easier than CR.
A Xth-level chararacter built using PC rules is an Xth-level creature for constructing challenges.
Use TABLE 10–1: ENCOUNTER BUDGET and TABLE 10–2: CREATURE XP AND ROLE on page 489 of the PF2 Core Rulebook to design an appropriate encounter with an Xth-level creature.
A Xth-level chararacter built using PC rules is an Xth-level creature for constructing challenges.
Enemies of equal level to a PC usually have similar stats, but more wide-spread or one slightly higher bonus, but lack in special abilities. (All seem to have good AC/attack/saves by PC standards).
If you were to compare a full PC to a same-level monster, they'd probably be similar enough to be considered "equal power" imo. In a recent thread, Mark Seifter (I believe) said that if you are creating PC-like NPCs, they should have lower ability scores than their monster-building rules would indicate. Presumably they make up the difference using their magic equipment and class abilities.
I said "CR," but I think my point was understood.
Okay, that's what I needed to know.
For instance, in RotR, when the PCs fight themselves in Chapter 5, I would use their own levels for purposes of the xp budget.
Any character built using PC rules should have the same "CR" as an equal level NPC or monster. The biggest difference in how they are built (as opposed to actually running them) is that PCs need appropriately leveled equipment to hit their benchmarks and other creatures don't. That means that they will be a bigger windfall for the party's treasury when they are beaten. As such, you probably want to reserve doing this for important bosses who would be dropping sweet loot anyway.
Okay. What I would do, then, if I were building the NPC myself, is make sure their gear fits into my treasure budget for that level. And if it's too much, I'll just keep their stats the same, but use some mundane gear with some consumables thrown in.
The players don't get to inspect the stat blocks, after all. So they won't know if it's a +1 sword, or a +2 sword of striking.
And for a situation like the Runelords battle, they'll just disappear when defeated anyway. So no need to worry about them receiving double gear.