What was the CR for this Combat Encounter?

In our PF game the GM, according to a couple players, has been short shifting us on XP because he is under CRing the encounters.

We(5 3rd lvl PCs) had an encounter with Nuglub Gremlins(CR2) x 4, and then Pugwampi Gremlins(CR.5) x 6 showed up about a halfway through the encounter. The people who survived received 400xp.

technically the exp should be 3,600xp though a GM is free to give lower XP for an encounter if he can justify it somehow. If they are sneaky ambush creatures but they are not used in that role for example.

Are you sure you have all the facts, are the creatures what they appear to be, do they have less gear or inferior gear ?

Frankly I would just discuss it with your GM if it bothers you.

I was curious is all. The amount of XP rewarded for these epic resource depleting combats seemed off to me, but PF(D&D, whatever) isn't my main system.

I would hazard a guess that undercutting the XP awards is one thing but, having us on the slow advancement chart as well is a little much for some of the others playing.

Me, personally, I'm just glad to be able to play.

Given that he is using the slow track he may also be lowering the exp based on the fact that you have an extra player, and that he wants a slow progression game. really I'm afraid you won't get specific answers here as there is any number of alterations that COULD be happening behind the scenes to adjust things.

Really it becomes a discuss with GM kind of option, if folks aren't enjoying the style of the game.

Just as you would if it was a very dungeon crawly one when everyone wanted political intrigue.