Taking a cue from the OSR, a simplified stat block can be just one line, or even less for a PC. The old versions of D&D had a lot of "as X" in them; monsters made saving throws as a Fighter, for example. OSR monsters often don't have a to-hit statistic because they all use the same combat chart. In effect, they all attack "as monster," with the variation coming in number of hit dice.
The same can be done with newer versions of D&D. My 3.5e Monster Manual list creatures from Challenge Rating of less than 1 to 20 (though admittedly the first MM does offer few creatures at the higher numbers). The 4e MM has creatures from less than 1 to 30 (and Orcus at 33).
Why not just say "fights as X except with the following special abilities?" In the 5e DMG available so far, both the black bear (pg 12) and the cockatrice (pg 15) are Challenge 1/2. Their hit points are similar, their attack bonuses are similar. Their damage is different, but the cockatrice does only half as much damage on average, because the other "half" of its damage is in the form of petrification.
How is this like a bear? In gaming statistics. (image: eaudrey.com)
So: Cockatrice (as Black Bear, but size small, damage is 1d4+1 plus petrification (Con save vs DC 11)).
Yes, a cockatrice and a bear look nothing alike, act nothing alike, but statistically they're pretty similar. And this takes up a lot less real estate in print.
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