Spawning In Patterns

So bare with me here, I've been stuck on this problem for a while now.

So what is the problem, Ive been trying to figure out the best practice or the best way to spawn objects/enemies/objectives in specific patterns for a puzzle game. So for example I have 5 balls, Ball 1 - 5, and I wish to spawn then in different patterns, L shape, Circle or anything that is predefined in any order.

So I want to spawn them in patterns that I can have 100+ patterns.

To better understand this another example is in infinit top down space shooters where some enemies come in groups (patterns).

So i have 2 solutions for this (which I hate):

1) using arrays to predefine the position and random call the arrays

L Shape

[0,1,0,0,0]

[0,1,0,0,0]

[0,1,1,1,0]

X shape

[0,1,0,1,0]

[0,0,1,0,0]

[0,1,0,1,0]

the problem with this is from a design stand point, its hard to come up unique patterns. Another Having many patterns it is hard to keep track and change design.

2) using empty game objects with predefined placeholders for the balls to spawn in (this i like more) The issue with this is in my head each placeholder for EACH gameobject will have to be accessed by the code to spawn a ball in a placeholder and again I feel that is not efficient.

any help and read will be appreciated.

Sorry for the long confusing post Cheers