Multistage hvac system with discrete device selection prioritization

A controller for a plurality of devices of a building control system that operate in parallel to provide a desired capacity of heating or cooling for a building space, the controller comprising:

• a capacity identifier configured to identify the desired capacity of heating or cooling for the building space;
• a combination finder configured to generate a list of combinations of the plurality of devices that can be energized to provide the desired capacity of heating or cooling, each of the combinations comprising one or more of the plurality of devices;
• a combination filter configured to remove any of the combinations from the list of combinations that do not meet one or more requirements;
• a combination selector configured to select one of the combinations from the list of combinations based on at least one of a runtime or a transition count associated with each of the combinations;
• and
• a signal generator configured to generate one or more control signals in accordance with the selected combination and operate the plurality of devices using the control signals.