How to properly use JSON files to instantiate prototypes?

I have a class that specifies some global traits for a creature prototype: age range, size, speed, etc.
I have several of those prototypes, stored in a json file.
I want to instantiate all these prototypes once and gameobjects would then reference them, as in the flyweight pattern.
So far I've been using Resources.Load, called in the initialization of a static variable, but then today I read that I shouldn't use it. I could also use the AssetDatabase to link to the json file, but then again that only works in Editor mode.

So, what's the best way to utilize the json data to instantiate such prototypes? Ideally programmatically, rather than fiddling with GUI. Is there a better way of doing things?

Thanks.

 

You can use ScriptableObjects for that. That would simplify the editing process.
Pre-made prefab + data from scriptable object should be sufficient.

Alternatively, it's possible to create scriptable objects / prefabs in editor, to avoid doing that in runtime.

 

Thanks, did that, looks like it's working alright