"With my blessing, the Brutes now lead our fleets! They ask for your allegiance, and you shall give it."

Giant gorilla-like creatures, which also resembles rhinos and bears.The average Brute stands at nine feet.They are a fanatical race, following the words of the Prophet with no second thoughts. They look down on Elites, thinking they are unfit for the role of protectors of the Prophets. They take that role during Halo 2, after the Elites fail to protect the Prophet of Regret from assassination in Halo 2.

Being a very fierce and brutal race, they have reached spacefaring technology at least once, before wars have reverted them back to pre-industrial stages. When the Covenant discovered them, they had just re-learned radio- and rocket technology. Because of this, they are excellent fighters, although less refined than Elites. Instead of using complex tactics they use a more head-on approach. Being large and very bulky, they are more than a match for Elites and SPARTANs.

They do not like the plasma technology which the Covenant typically uses, and instead favour weapons from their homeworld. These weapons are more brutal, and often sport a bladed attachment. They are said to be fond of the Human shotgun.

Being a pack-species, the last member of the pack will go into a berserker state if the rest is killed. This affects gameplay, as a Brute will charge at the player without any care for its well-being, and will attempt to cause massive melee damage.