UW Farming: SS vs. Famine

Eh, Cerb and I ran a Spirit Bond IW Scythe mesmer with SV and a Mo/R smite monk with famine Trying to fit as many builds as possible... Ah, hell, let's toss that in there too, I like it.
While we're at it, let's form a full party of builds like this, split them up into groups and see just how fast we can clear the entire Underworld.

I actually never thought about Shackles, but that's not a bad idea... I tried out Shackles, but ended up scrappin it for conjure Phantasm (but I'll likely get Images of Remorse for the next run). The 3 second cast time just wasn't cutting it. However having a good monk that can control aggro well negates the need for this in most cases and allows runs to go by very quickly by taking out Smites with Coldfires in one swift blow.

In response to the OP's question, I'd have to say that in best case scenario, Famine is the fastest way to farm UW, but if you're gonna PuG it, grab a SS since most PuG monks are rather slow and inneficient (ex. 55s that take Aatxes and Graspings seperately and take smites one small group at a time). Spirit Bonders ftw!

Famine and Mind Wrack actually DO trigger on 0.x energy. There is energy inbetween 0 and 1. If you want to see it with your own eyes go outside of Beetletun and hit the mergoyles. Make sure to lower your energy regeneration to one by bringing some useless maintained enchantments.

They will cast Spirit Shackles on you and sooner or later Mind Wrack.
Now have a close look at your energy bar. Not once will it hit 1 energy again as you're constantly draining yourself through Spirit Shackles. But Mind Wrack still damages you everytime it is cast and you hit the enemy. Go and try it if you don't believe it. It only works for famine, not Mind Wrack, unless they updated Mind Wrack to trigger every time you lose energy and it hits zero.