Brute

Summary

The Brutes, or Jiralhanae by their own name, are a race first encountered in Halo 2.

They are the newest race of the Covenant and have high aspirations. They became the Honor Guards of the Prophets after the High Prophet of Regret was slain by the Master Chief, resulting in the sacking of the Elites from this traditional role and their takeover, and protect them fiercely.

They are gray skinned, and covered with brown, fur-like hair. They have very sharp teeth and sometimes use them as a weapon. They are immensely strong and fight hand-to-hand if they ever lose their weapon. They seem to prefer to use a weapon called the Brute Shot that fires high-velocity grenades and has a long blade on the underside of it which they use for melee attacks in close range. The Brutes, except of a Chieftain, are strong and can survive without energy shields.

An example of a Brute name is Tartarus, and Bracktanus.

The Brutes have a primitive culture structure, and are split into tribes, each tribe lead by a "Chieftain". The way a Brute moves up in rank or stature is unknown, but it is probably similar to that of the Elites.

Brutes have a high dislike for the Elites. They believe that they can do a better job of Protecting the Prophets than the Elites. This dislike led the beginnings of the Covenant civil war that started in October of 2552.

Ranks

Known Brute ranks include:

• Brute minors are basic Brutes, they do not wear armor of any kind, they wield the Brute Plasma Rifle, Carbines and ocassionally the Brute Shot.

• Brute majors are more skilled than their minor counterparts, and wear basic armor.

• Brute Captains are signified by the flag mounted on their shoulder, and wield Brute Shots more often than other weapons.

• Honor Guard Brutes have recently taken the place of the Elites as the protectors of the High Prophets, and wear highly ornamented armor.

Combatting Brutes

It has been noted that Brutes always move in groups, and if all but one are killed, the last Brute will drop its weapon and charge for the attacker, attempting to draw near and crush the target in unarmed combat. It has been noted that on Normal, only about 4 or 5 hits from a berserking Brute are necessary to drain shields completely. The Brute's attack speed is nothing to laugh at either.

Brutes have incredible endurance. On Legendary mode, even the weakest of them can survive the blast created by sticking a Plasma Grenade on its fur.

The Needler is one of the most effective weapons against the Brutes. Fill a Brute with needles until it explodes and that should take out the Brute quickly.

Higher-ranking Brutes wear helmets, preventing a one-hit headshot kill. The helmet must be shot off first before the Brute can be headshot.

Trivia

The word "Jiralhanae" is a Korean swear word meaning "aggressive lunatic".