Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman

'' Were you also looking for Sangheili Honor Guardsman, Honor Guard Ultra, Honor Guard of the Covenant, the Honor Guard Wraith or the Honor Guard Pike? '' A 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 Hierarchs 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 a millennium, 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 cut-scene 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 the Gravemind level. Honor Guards are considerably rarer than standard Brutes, with only a total of less than a couple dozen appearing throughout Halo 2.

Combat
Brute Honor Guards fight with their own weapons, which include the Brute Plasma Rifle, the Brute Shot and sometimes the Covenant Carbine. They can also use the Shotgun. They always work in pairs/packs of two-three Brutes and will go berserk when all but one are killed. Unlike their Elite counterparts, the Honor Guard helmet worn by Brute Honor Guards prevents them from receiving headshots. This may be due to the fact that they wear their original Brute helmets underneath, and since these can only be knocked off while the Honor Guard helmet prevents this from happening, it's impossible to headshot an Honor Guard Brute.

Brute Honor Guards are the highest rank of Brute seen in Halo 2, and are noticeably more difficulty opponents than standard Brutes or Brute Captains, as their indestructible helmets render them immune to headshots and thus they must be killed with brute force, which can be a difficult task given a Brute's extremely high durability. The best way to kill these Brutes is to dual-wield Plasma Rifles, barrage them with Needler fire, use the Carbine or the Beam Rifle, or simply kill them with a Plasma Grenade, as they are somewhat slow. Fuel Rod Guns and Brute Shots are also effective.

Armor
Brute Honor Guards wear the same armor as the Elite Honor Guards but with slightly different 'platings'. These 'plates' have a yellow and red alternating pattern, bordered by black. This yellow/red alternating pattern is also seen on the thrones of the High Prophets. The helmet has been upgraded and made larger since 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.

Appearances
The Brute Honor Guards were first encountered in the levels Gravemind, High Charity and The Great Journey in Halo 2, guarding the High Prophet of Truth and the High Prophet of Mercy, although they were first seen in the opening cut-scene of the level Sacred Icon. They also briefly appear in Halo: Uprising, again guarding the High Prophet of Truth on board the Forerunner Dreadnought. However, it should be noted that the Brute Honor Guard does not appear in Halo 3; they appear to have been turned into the Brute Bodyguard, though this is only speculation.

Trivia

 * The Brute Honor Guards in Halo 2 look the closest to their Halo 3 companions, because they are actually wearing armor, although the armor appears different.
 * They only appear in Halo 2 and Halo: Uprising.
 * They are fought in three levels: Gravemind, High Charity and The Great Journey.
 * The Brute Bodyguard is believed to be the replacement for the Brute Honor Guard in Halo 3.
 * It is highly speculated that the Brute Honor Guards protect the Chieftain as well as the Prophets, though this is unlikely, seeing as in the second cutscene for "The Great Journey" when then Arbiter goes to confront Tartarus, the Chieftain has no honor guards. All Tartarus had were four primary Brute Captains (more will appear if you take too long killing him) and you would think such an important task would have been accompanied by the Honor Guard.
 * If a Brute Honor Guard is shot in the head several times with a ranged weapon, a helmet like the ones sported by regular Brutes will come off from under the Honor Guard helmet which will remain on the Brutes head.

Related Links

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