Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman

Brute Honor Guard is a Covenant Jiralhanae (Brute) rank.

Introduction
The Brute Honor Guards took the place of the Elites as the protectors of the High Prophets after the murder of the High Prophet of Regret. This "Changing of the Guard" was the beginning of the Civil War of the Covenant or Great Schism, as the Elites were incensed that their role of protecting the Prophets, which they had faithfully executed for millenia, had been now delegated by these new upstarts and genetic rivals.

They are found on the levels Gravemind, High Charity and The Great Journey and make their first appearances during the starting cutscene of the level Sacred Icon where they take the Honor Guard Pikes and armor of the Elite Honor Guards. They are also the first Brute rank to be encountered alive by the player at the start of Gravemind.

Combat
Brute Honor Guards fight with their own weapons, which include the Brute Plasma Rifle, the Brute Shot and sometimes the Covenant Carbine. They always work in pairs/packs of 2-3 Brutes and will go berserk when all but one are killed. Unlike their Elite counterparts, Brute Honor Guards cannot receive headshots due to the fact that they both wear the same Honor Guard helmet. Many player prefer to use the carbine on the level Gravemind, but this makes it somewhat ineffective. If you fire at their head with a Covenant Carbine, M6C Magnum or Battle Rifle you can see their 'normal helmet' fall off. The best way to kill these Brutes is to dual-wield (Brute) Plasma Rifles, to fire a full clip of a Needler, use the M6C Magnum or the Brute Shot. Or simply stick them with a Plasma Grenade, as they are somewhat slow. Fuel Rod Cannons and Brute Shots are effective, but are not as effective as any of the other weapons mentioned before.

Physiology
Brute Honor Guards wear the same armor as the Elite Honor Guards but with slightly different 'plates'. These 'plates' have a yellow and red alternating pattern, bordered by black. This yellow/red alternating pattern is also seen on the thrones of High Prophets. The helmet has been upgraded and made larger because Brutes have larger heads than Elites and also have a yellow/red alternating pattern. They also have a red Brute Captain flag mounted on their shoulder.

Halo 3
It should be noted that the Brute Honor Guard doesn't make any appearance in Halo 3 although the Brute Bodyguard seems to be their replacements.

Trivia

 * There are only about 30 Honor Guard Brutes that are shown in all of Halo 2, including those shown in cinematics and the Brutes that you fight in gameplay.
 * There are a few Brute Honor Guard standing around the Prophet of Truth in the Halo: Uprising comic.

Related Links

 * Honor Guard Ultra
 * Elite Honor Guard
 * Honor Guard Councilor