Armor as DR
I must admit that I remained perplexed by the argument that I can't do damage to the guy in armor with my dagger... not fair. All I can say is , what? Let me get this right the issue is that you can't hurt a guy in plate armor with a dagger... damn realism.
The fix.. a feat that ignores or partially ignores DR; a weapon that ignores DR (a pick, or two handed weapon); or better, critical system that recognizes that a critical occurs because of a skill differentiation. My ability to inflict a telling blow in kumite is as much a function of my oppoents skill as mine.
The argument about DR being an extra step is nonsensical; do we drop Strength adjustment as adding a bonus is an extrra step, or a magical bonus, or a circumstance bonus such as plunging shot. No, it is a part of the damage reslotion step, no more.
The truth is that the status quo of AC with all its gremlims maintains a sacred DnD cow, and wth so many other changes, that may have been one change too many.
Sundering, is an issue. A combination of an AoO cascade and it really being too easy to destroy weapons, is a problem. Removing the capability to destroy or remove someone's weapon in combat, is a step backwards for the game.
In my homebrew, AC is determined by dodge (AC) or parry (AC + Str bonus). However, in a parry, damage is absorbed, rather than avoided. A defender rolls damage as if they were attacking and subtract the roll from the damage done, the balance goes against hps (after Dr of course). If an attacker wishes he can direct all the damage against the blow, attempting to sunder or disarm the defenders weapon... I'd have liked to have seen something along this route.
Again, not a change towards simplicity