Another issue with PF2e is the lack of lower-level monsters as credible threats to higher-level characters. I wouldn’t want to do this all the time, and things like Troops often work fine (for example, a level 12 part vs. 200 troglodytes). But there are times where you want a foe to be a threat (that is, they can hurt the PCs), but also get chewed up by the PCs when they get to grips with them (reflecting that they ARE weaker foes). The specific example where I need this is in my PF2E conversion of Descent into the Depths of the Earth, where my PCs will be level 12-13, and many of the foes are trogs, bugbears and drow.
Trogs and bugbears, I think Troops work best with perhaps a mythic boss mixed in. But I actually want the drow to be a real threat that can do damage, but can easily be dispatched by a level 12 PC. I think 4e minions work well for this. So here is a minion rule/template that can be applied to a creature to make them a challenge to PCs (no less than -2 level vs the Party level), an example drow warrior below:
- Select the monster you want to scale (for example, a drow fighter scaled to level 12).
- Add the Minion trait.
- Minion trait: the creature only has two actions, one hp and a 1-action
and 2-action 
attack options (this can be a single spell, but otherwise remove any spellcasting). - Remove reactions.
- The monster should also do a fixed amount of damage with attacks (to reduce complexity further).
Example Drow Fighter level 12 Minion
Drow Fighter (Level 12)
[Minion, Medium, Elf, Humanoid, Drow, CE]
Perception +24; darkvision
Languages Elven, Undercommon
Skills Acrobatics +24, Athletics +23, Intimidation +21, Stealth +24, Warfare Lore +22
Str +5, Dex +6, Con +4, Int +1, Wis +3, Cha +2
Light Blindness
When first exposed to bright light, the drow is blinded until the end of her next turn and dazzled thereafter while in bright light.
Items +2 greater striking rapier, +2 resilient studded leather, +2 returning dagger
AC 30
HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.
Speed 30 feet
Melee
🗡️ Rapier ◈ +26 (Agile, Finesse, Magical, Deadly d8, Disarm),
Damage 27
Ranged
🎯 Dagger (thrown) ◈ +26 (Agile, Thrown 10 ft., Magical),
Damage 20
Actions
💥 Skewer ◈◈
Requirements: The drow hit a creature with his/her rapier this turn.
Effect: S/he drives the blade deeper. The target takes 10 additional piercing damage and must succeed at a DC 32 Fortitude save or be stunned 1.
