Getting object subset count without picking?

Is there way to get the count of a certain subset of instances without picking them?

Like, if I wanted to get the number of sprites with instance variable x set to y to use that number in a comparison, could I do it without actually picking the instances and using PickedCount?

What's wrong with picking them?

In this particular case, the point at which I'd like to check is after a relatively complex pick of the same instance type, so it would be convenient to be able to do so.

You can pick things separately in sub event, your higher level picked objects will stay intact. Do something like this:

variable: count

.. complex stuff picking here

.... pick all stuff

.... pick stuff you want to count

.... set count as stuff.pickedcount

.. do things with before mentioned complex picked stuff

Or make a function that returns the count.