Armor saving throw question

[bestialwarlust]

I'm curious as to the effect of magic armor and saving throws. There are two methods that the bonus from magic armor can be applied:

1. remove 1 damage die from a pool per plus

or

2. add the magic armor bonus to the AC saving throw.

For anyone that has play tested this how has each worked in your game? do you find that one method or the other makes damaging someone in magical armor nearly impossible?

[tombowings]

I've considered adding magic armor to defensive strength and magic weapons to offensive strength.