Template:HaloWikiLinkTemplate:Weapon The Mauler is a One-Handed Brute Shotgun. At first, due to fluid naming, it was speculated to be a vehicle, but this is not the case.
Introduction
Leaked pictures of the August 2007 issue of EGM magazine shows that the Mauler is a Brute weapon, similar to a shotgun that can be dual wielded. It's not as powerful as the Human shotgun, but has the bonus of dual-wieldability.
Car or Gun?
The Mauler was first revealed in one of Bungie's weekly updates[1], which was used primarily to elaborate on the Spartan Laser. To quote:
- "My spotter positively identified the local bravo kilo sub-chieftain. I engaged the target at [censored] meters. The shot burned an approximately [censored] diameter hole through the target and severely damaged the mauler he had just dismounted."
The use of the words "bravo kilo sub-chieftain" proves that the aforementioned mauler was manned by a Brute during the encounter. Due to this, it was believed that it was a Covenant vehicle, though this was unconfirmed.
It was at first speculated to be the so-called "Brute Ghost." However, it has since been proven that "Brute Ghost" was actually a misnomer of the Brute Chopper. Some speculated that it wasa Brute flier or spectre-type vehicle of some kind, but apparently, Bungie changed their naming scheme. The name "Mauler" was given to a gun previously known as the "Excavator", while the Mauler vehicle was renamed the Prowler.