Im not an expert at lego star wars but if i was making an army i would say battle packs becuase if 1 clone on bricklink is $5 (dont hold me to that number) and a battle pack is $15 (CAD)for 4 minifigures then you get more for les from the battle pack , but then also it depends on what kind of army. In 2014 (im sure you know this) 3 new battle packs are comming out, all of seperate squads .