Does it matter what edition or when it was pitched, the simple fact is it is faster and easier on the DM and it works.
Here is an example from 13th Age that uses the same type of system.
Hobgoblin Warmage
Normal 5th level
Caster Humanoid
Initiative: +6
Warstaff +8 vs. AC—15 damage
R: Fireblast +10 vs. PD (up to 2 nearby enemies in a group)—10 fire damage (or 20 if used against a single target), and the target loses its next move action
C: Concussive blast +10 vs. PD (all enemies engaged with the warmage)—10 force damage, and the warmage pops the target off of it
Natural 20: The target is also dazed (save ends).
AC-20
PD-14
MD-19
HP-70
Simple sweet to the point, you don't need anything more to run any monster or npc.