I feel dirty linking my own post but see this:

http://larian.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=629922#Post629922

The thing is in your suggestions:

1. Merging Armor will not change much, the goal will still be breaking as much armor as possible via magical or physical.

2. Then again, the armor damaging weapons will always take priority, since getting rid of the armor opens up the path for effects to go through.