A staple cartridge assembly, comprising: a cartridge body, comprising: a deck ; a first longitudinal row of staple cavities ; a second longitudinal row of staple cavities ; a plurality of first staples , wherein each said first staple is removably stored in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein each said first staple comprises: a first base including a first drive surface; and a first staple leg (3232; 3233) extending from said first base and including a first tip; a plurality of second staples , wherein each said second staple is removably stored in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein each said second staple comprises: a second base including a second drive surface; and a second staple leg (3232; 3233) extending from said second base and including a second tip; and a firing member configured to directly engage said first staples and said second staples; characterised in that each said first staple comprises a unitary structure including said first base , said first staple leg (3232; 3233), and a first platform extending from said first base, wherein a first unformed distance is defined between said first platform and said first tip; and wherein each said second staple comprises a unitary structure including said second base , said second staple leg (3232; 3233), and a second platform extending from said second base, wherein a second unformed distance is defined between said second platform and said second tip which is different than said first unformed distance. a cartridge body, comprising: a deck ; a first longitudinal row of staple cavities ; a second longitudinal row of staple cavities ; a deck ; a first longitudinal row of staple cavities ; a second longitudinal row of staple cavities ; a plurality of first staples , wherein each said first staple is removably stored in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein each said first staple comprises: a first base including a first drive surface; and a first staple leg (3232; 3233) extending from said first base and including a first tip; a first base including a first drive surface; and a first staple leg (3232; 3233) extending from said first base and including a first tip; a plurality of second staples , wherein each said second staple is removably stored in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein each said second staple comprises: a second base including a second drive surface; and a second staple leg (3232; 3233) extending from said second base and including a second tip; and a second base including a second drive surface; and a second staple leg (3232; 3233) extending from said second base and including a second tip; and a firing member configured to directly engage said first staples and said second staples; characterised in that each said first staple comprises a unitary structure including said first base , said first staple leg (3232; 3233), and a first platform extending from said first base, wherein a first unformed distance is defined between said first platform and said first tip; and wherein each said second staple comprises a unitary structure including said second base , said second staple leg (3232; 3233), and a second platform extending from said second base, wherein a second unformed distance is defined between said second platform and said second tip which is different than said first unformed distance. <EOS>