Taller and stronger than Elites, Brutes function as ceremonial guards in Covenant society. Although many sites have reported that they are guards specifically for Prophets, this seems to be incorrect. At the conclusion of First Strike by Eric Nylund, the Brute called Tartarus gives the last three remaining fragments of the Forerunner artifact from Reach to the Prophet of Truth. The Prophet's 300 Elite bodyguards are surprised, indicating that usually it is the Elites that sit close to the Prophets.

Brutes are big, strong, hairy, apelike, and carry a grenade launcher called a Brute Shot that has a large blade on the butt for melee attacks.

The Halo 2 manual says that Brutes fight in packs.