History Main / TheBrute

* Teetsi in "WesternAnimation/MadagascarEscape2Africa" is by far the largest and most muscular of the lions and he seems to act as Makunga's henchman, being constantly present near him and occasionally bossed around by him.

He is often the first opponent the heroes face after their successes [[SortingAlgorithmOfEvil require that someone more capable]] be sent to take care of them. He tends to be either blindly loyal or just too thickheaded and incompetent to ever stand a chance of overthrowing the leaders. Despite his role as the primary brute force of TheEvilArmy, he is rarely ever [[RankScalesWithAsskicking as strong as]] TheDragon.

** Alvida "Arc": [[GiantMook Heppoko]] to [[DropTheHammer Alvida]].

** Fishman Island Arc: [[MultiArmedAndDangerous Ikaros Much]] and [[DropTheHammer Dosun]] to Hordy Jones. [[PsychopathicManchild Wadatsumi]] pulls double-duty as both The Brute and TheDragon to [[LaughablyEvil Vander Decken IX]].

* Vita of the Wolkenritter from ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'' ties this trope in a knot. Yes we are looking at a hot tempered, rude, and arrogant [[DropTheHammer warhammer-wielding]] berserker. However, not only are the Wolkenritter in general the platonic ideal of anti-villains but Vita ''her''self is an ([[ReallySevenHundredYearsOld apparently]]) [[BadassAdorable eight-year old]] redhead in a poofy dress and matching hat.

** Thurim is a very unconventional example compared to Attila, since he has a rather lean-build instead of looking like a brutish fiend. With that said, he fits the trope nicely, acting as muscle powerhouse for [[spoiler:the conspirators that seeking to overthrow Dracula]] and he certainly has a [[BloodKnight fitting]] [[AxCrazy personality to match]]. For bonus points, he wields a [[DropTheHammer magic warhammer]] in combat.

* Thorgrim to [[EvilSorcerer Thulsa Doom]] in ''Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982''. He's a big (6'5") man who raised a snake, knows how to DropTheHammer and [[DumbMuscle not much else]]. This part proves to be his downfall in the climax when [[spoiler:Conan deliberately leaves a helmet within Thorgrim's line of sight; Thorgrim hits it, [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice causing a thick spike to be planted straight in his chest]]]].

** Kurse in ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'', starting off as a normal dark elf after he uses the Kurse Stone; he's strong enough to back hand [[DroptheHammer Mjölnir]] when Thor throws it at him and mercilessly kills Frigga [[YouKilledMyFather earning]] the wrath of both her sons (Thor and Loki). It takes [[spoiler:a black hole]] to kill him.

** [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The Brutes]] (Species name: Jiralhanae), whom as a whole serve as this for the Covenant. One is pictured above without a helmet. They're scarier without helmets on! They're even worse if they're toting a [[DropTheHammer Gravity Hammer]].

*** Breakdown, [[AdaptationalBadass in an interesting departure from his]] [[DirtyCoward usual role]]. He's not especially unintelligent, though; he simply prefers to leave the more cerebral matters to his partner [[EvilGenius Knock Out]], while letting his missile launchers and [[DropTheHammer giant hammer]] do the talking for him.

Compare: SmashMook, GiantMook. Contrast: EvilGenius, GentleGiant. Compare AND Contrast: TheBigGuy (TheBrute is listed as a Class 6).

* ''Superman Film Series'':

* [[CatsAreMean Felicia]] from ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective''. While not sapient like the mice, she still towers over them, and can simply eat whoever gets in her way (except [[BigFriendlyDog Toby]]).

* A female example is Smeddy from ''Roleplay/RecordOfLodossWar: Chronicles of the Heroic Knight'', a gruff, muscular swordswoman with a sadistic streak who fought the heroes as one of Ashram's QuirkyMinibossSquad.
* ''Franchise/DragonBall'':

* Prince Dozle Zabi from ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam''. Noticeably, he was a 7 ft tall GeniusBruiser (meaning, he was ''no'' dumbass) made of pure badass who led his troops heroically in the Battle of Solomon.

** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam00'': Michael Trinity in the first season, [[spoiler:although his role his cut short when [[AxCrazy Ali]] double crosses him and his siblings and murders them]]. Depending on how you look at it, Graham Aker and/or Soma Preies may fulfill this role for the A-Laws in Season 2; Bring Stability, Divine Nova, or (female example) Hilling Care may be The Brutes for the Innovators.

* ''Franchise/OnePiece'' has had quite a few and more than a couple overlap with TheDragon.

* ''Anime/YuGiOh'':
** Varon/Valon from the Dartz arc in favours an Armour deck, attacks his opponents himself, and is extremely violent. By contrast, Rafael serves as TheDragon while Amelda/Alister is more of a schemer.
** Ota/Nezbitt uses a Machine deck based on brute firepower. He takes three people at once and his main schtick is inflicting as much damage as possible without planning ahead. During the duel against Yugi and Jonouchi, Ota is the only member of the Big Five to fall for Yugi's bluff while the other four members don't.
** In the Duelist Kingdom arc, Player Killer of Darkness/[=PaniK=] is The Brute to the rest of Pegasus' eliminators. A gigantic man with a sadistic streak, the Player Killer of Darkness gets a real kick out of tormenting opposing players, but is really a coward at heart. He uses flamethrowers (or, in the manga, a spring-loaded garrote built into the dueling platform) to disorient his opponents, and after losing to Yami Yugi, actually tries to kill him. It's implied rather strongly that he's actually a very bad Duelist, and relies on psyching his opponents into making mistakes to stand a chance against foes above his weight class like Mai Kujaku. When he realizes this ''won't'' work on [[{{Determinator}} Yugi]], he has a VillainousBreakdown.
** Bandit Keith Howard is essentially a Brute who got away, having the personality, but being loyal to no one but himself. Among his henchmen, DumbMuscle Satake/Zygor could also be seen as a Brute-ish type.
* ''Anime/YuGiOh5Ds'': Paradox is the BigBad of the movie, ''Anime/YuGiOhBondsBeyondTime'', but he turns out to be one of the many servants of Z-One and a member of Yliaster. He prefers simple beatdown strategies where he turbos out high ATK monsters while everyone else in the organization uses more complex strategies to lock down the opponent's plays. In terms of scheming, his plan to fix the BadFuture is to quickly annihilate a city block to kill Pegasus, the inventor of Duel Monsters, while the rest of Yliaster hatches a ridiculously complex and long scheme to destroy Neo Domino city with the remains of the same city from the future.
* ''Anime/YuGiOhZexal'': Among the Seven Barian Emperors, Girag and Alito are essentially the Brutes of the group, but they also serve as subversions. Girag has the build and appearance of a Brute, being very tall and muscular, but he prefers brainwashing people over direct confrontations because he's too afraid of the consequences of losing. He's not dumb per se, but his schemes can't compare to the likes of Vector. His deck is also very defensive, and while his SignatureMon is gigantic, it's also has the lowest stats out of the seven. By contrast, Alito is very confrontational and prefers to face his opponent face-to-face and is disgusted by Girag's cowardly tactics, and has a very strong sense of honor, which differs from a normal Brute. However, Alito's deck is focused primarily on Battle Phase effects, reflecting his BloodKnight nature. He's also a boxer and he likes to throw hands with his best friend Girag, showing that the two are physically evenly matched. Alito also duels against [[TheHero Yuma]] the most and he has in fact more on-screen duels than the other six Barian Emperors (from a certain point of view).

* ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'':
** Tarkus from ''Manga/PhantomBlood'' is the [[EvilIsBigger biggest]] and physically strongest of Dio's [[OurZombiesAreDifferent zombie]] army, and, alongside Bruford and Dio, one of the few characters able to give [[TheHero Jonathan]] an even fight. And unlike most examples, [[GeniusBruiser he's actually quite intelligent]].
** Santana from ''Manga/BattleTendency'' is the least talkative of the [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Pillar Men]], and the only one who relies almost completely on his brute strength. This is rather justified, as [[TheHero Joseph]] fights him almost immediately after he's woken up and he's still adjusting to the new world.
** Secco from ''Manga/GoldenWind'' has enough physical strength via his [[FightingSpirit Stand]] to go toe-to-toe with Bucciarati, but he's rather lacking in intelligence. [[spoiler:That is, [[ObfuscatingStupidity until it's revealed to be an act]]]].

* ''Franchise/KamenRider'' has had its fair share of Brutes over the years.

* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIVBlackFlag'' has El Tiburon who throughout the entire game exists as a physical threat and a bodyguard to [[BigBadWannabe Torres]]. He does not say a word throughout the entire game [[spoiler: including in his dying moments]].
** And in most of the other titles there is simply the [[GiantMook brute class]] of enemy, no matter the time period is either walking around in hulking great armour and carrying large weapons or just a really big guy.

* Agatio from ''VideoGame/GoldenSun: The Lost Age'' is an unusually clever example, despite Alex and the official strategy guide writing him off as mere DumbMuscle. He's [[CombatPragmatist sharp enough to fight dirty]], hits like a truck... oh, and did we mention he's a [[PlayingWithFire Fire]] [[KillItWithFire Adept]] with a huge variety of unique and powerful spells at his disposal? The good news is that he defers to authority. The bad news? He thinks Prox plans to TakeOverTheWorld, and is quite determined to make it happen...

%%** ''Mega Man World IV'': Stone Man
%%** ''Mega Man World V'': Uranus
** ''[[CompilationRerelease Mega Man:]] [[UpdatedRerelease The Wily Wars]]'': [[OriginalGeneration The new, Wily Wars-exclusive game, Wily Tower]], gives us [[MessyPig Hyper]] [[WeaponsThatSuck Storm H]]\\
[[LongList ...Whew.]]
*** And this doesn't even begin to mention the Fortress Bosses and some of the [[GiantMook larger enemies]]!

** [ImplacableMan The Man on Fire]] AKA [[spoiler:an undead Colonel Volgin]]for Skull Face in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidV''.

[[folder:Webcomics]]

* General Molotov on ''WesternAnimation/JimmyTwoShoes''.

** [[AxCrazy Taur]] [[BloodKnight Urgas]], the King of Cthol Murgos, in ''Literature/TheBelgariad''. He's got all the hallmarks of the personality: no empathy, AxCrazy, a [[TheBerserker Berserker]] in combat, and he also seems to fit in terms of his position and role in the villainous hierarchy: he's the ruler of one of the largest countries subject to [[BigBad Torak]], and provides manpower and muscle for the Angarak armies, while still being subject to Ctuchik, Torak's [[TheDragon Dragon]].

* Meant as a type of classic retro-toon character in ''TabletopGame/CartoonActionHour'', but this came to mean "TheBigGuy".
* If an [[OurOrcsAreDifferent orc]], [[TheOgre ogre]], or [[OurGiantsAreBigger giant]] in a game of ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' is given a name and role, chances are they'll be The Brute. (or [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch for a rebellious player]], TheBigGuy... or sometimes [[VillainProtagonist The Brute again]].)
* One of the archetypes for {{slasher|Movie}}s in ''TabletopGame/HunterTheVigil'' is the Brute, a strong man (or woman) who kills just because it feels right. Their natural talent embodies the slasher trope of "the killer gets back up just when you think he's dead," and they eventually become the Mask, which is like Jason Voorhees on PCP.

** Bron-Char from ''Film/{{Captain Marvel|2019}}'' is The Brute of the Starforce; though he's actually softer-spoken than his build suggests, he's still brutal in combat. [[spoiler:However, while he's strong, Bron-Char is effortlessly beaten by the title heroine in her SuperMode, being quite [[AdaptionalWimp weaker]] than his comic counterpart.]]

->-'''Agrona''': And so I kept [Dragoth] where he is, banging his thick, horned skull against [[spoiler:Seris's]] shields.

* ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'': O'Chunks is a classic example.
** ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' has Marilyn who has the most health and strongest attack power of the Shadow Sirens.



* The ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series has [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever Kraid]].

** Volgin aka [[ImplacableMan Man on Fire]] for Skull Face in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidV''.

* ''VideoGame/Overwatch'': Out of all the playable members of Talon, Mauga fits the bill. He is a massive WildSamoan resembling a {{Cyborg}} version of Maui from ''WesternAnimation/{{Moana}}'' who [[DualWielding dual wields]] a pair of massive [[GatlingGood miniguns]]. In game, he is able to perform a FoeTossingCharge, absorb damage by putting his two hearts into overdrive, and his ultimate traps his enemies in a ring around him wherein he has unlimited ammo.

** Charlie Nash played this role twice for The Illuminati and Shadaloo (Udon comics) when he CameBackWrong, he got better though.

** In [[Film/TransformersRevengeOfTheFallen the second film]], Grindor acts as this during the 3-on-1 battle in the forest while in the final battle, the role clearly belongs to Devastator.

** Brawl might also qualify. He is the most heavily armed Decepticon and the toughest one to kill. It took the combined efforts of the human military and all four non-Optimus Prime Autobots to finally put him down for the count. His alt mode is [[MightyGlacier a literal tank]].
*** Blackout could count seeing as he's the most heavily armed character and the largest one in the movie.
*** Demolisher could count due to his large size and that he just uses his weight instead of a weapon.

->'''Agrona''': And so I kept [Dragoth] where he is, banging his thick, horned skull against [[spoiler:Seris's]] shields.

** ''Series/PowerRangersInSpace'' has Ecliptor TheDragon, Darkonda TheSociopath of the show and Psycho Blue the EvilCounterpart of TheLancer.
** ''Series/PowerRangersLostGalaxy'' has Furio, who is basically Sambash adaptated with a different costume.

** ''Series/PowerRangersTimeForce'' has Gluto, the DumbMuscle of the Mutants.

** ''Series/PowerRangersOperationOverdrive'' has Benglo, the american version of Great Beast Rei.
** ''Series/PowerRangersJungleFury'' has Land Overlord Grizzaka, Maku's american counterpart and General Whiger, Suugu's counterpart (except Whiger is [[AdaptationalIntelligence slightly smarter than Suugu]]).

* Wyzen in ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath''. Big, fat, wielding a ''PowerFist'' as big as he is, he is the largest and dumbest of the Seven Deities.

* Heidegger in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' doesn't do too much direct fighting himself, but fills this role in [=ShinRa's=] army.
** Rude for the Turks though he's very calm and stoic.
* Xord in ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles1'' appears to be this at first, but [[spoiler:since it's later revealed he's just one of many Mass-Produced Faces, he's just an Elite Mook]].
** Metal Face plays this more straight, even though he considers himself to be the BigBad, or if not that, at least TheDragon.
* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'' has a few of these:
** Lexaeus from ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories'' is at least head and shoulders of the rest of the members, and is the only one who can physically lift his weapon (an axesword). [[http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x252/ShiroiKishi/KH%20-%20Organization%20XIII/All-Heights.jpg Here's a picture of the Org comparing their height.]] Despite being The Brute, though, [[GeniusBruiser he's not stupid]]; he manages to cut short the one argument we see around him, and apparently has a head for strategy, given that Zexion goes to him for advice to deal with Riku.
** [[ThatOneBoss Xaldin]] in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII''. Sadistic, imposing, and dangerous... but definitely [[ManipulativeBastard NOT stupid]].
** [[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989 Ursula]] served this role among the Disney Villains in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI''. She is one of the more formidable battlers, capable of subduing King Triton, and in her first boss fight, she is nearly invulnerable due to her never-ending spin attack that deflects any keyblade strike. Ursula's giant form really cements her role as the brute; she is the largest of the villains (one of the larger members initially), where she is relentlessly attacking you with powerful magic. Like the other ''Kingdom Hearts'' Brutes, she isn't dumb; she is capable of manipulating her enemies.
** Terra-Xehanort and Saix share this position in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII''. They were both shown to use brute strength being able to overpower and tire their opponents with ease, however, they were both eventually defeated by the Guardians of Light.

* Several cutscenes in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterAlpha 3'' show Balrog playing this role within [[BigBad Bison's]] Shadaloo organization. Although if you play as him, he will betray Bison in a power grab.
** Balrog/"Boxer" is definitely The Brute of Shadaloo... anywhere '''but''' in ''Street Fighter Alpha 3''. In that game, he's TheDragon (to [[BigBad Bison/"Dictator"]]).
** Interestingly, The Dolls actually fit this better for Shadaloo, being unthinking killing machines albeit [[BrainwashedAndCrazy unwilling ones]].
** Since Helen a.k.a. Kolin fits better as TheDragon for Gill, Urien fulfills this role for TheIlluminati being a violent, sadistic, arrogant scheming Jerkass, as seen in ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIII'' and ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterV SFV]]''.
** Charlie Nash played this role twice for The Illuminati and Shadaloo (Udon comics) when he CameBackWrong, he got better though.

* ''VideoGame/TalesSeries:''
** ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'': BoisterousBruiser [[PlayingWithFire Magnius]] fills this role for the Desian Grand Cardinals, since he's an axe-wielding combatant who believes in the organization's cause, but isn't smart enough to realize that his fellow Cardinal Rodyle is manipulating him.
** ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'':
*** Largo the Black Lion fits the role but also subverts it: A giant man over six feet tall and wielding a SinisterScythe, he is a WellIntentionedExtremist WarriorPoet who is usually very calm and collected, and views battle as a means to an end and not as an end in itself. He is also something of a WorthyOpponent. Although he is the first God-General ''defeated'' he returns to plague you several times, and in each of his appearances he's usually strong enough to be a match for a full party.
*** [[DarkMagicalGirl Arietta]] actually plays this more straight in personality and actions while being the TokenMiniMoe of the God-Generals. Despite her LeeroyJenkins tendencies and not being particularly clever (she spends the majority of the game being manipulated by others) she doesn't ''need'' to be when she can just ZergRush enemies with her monsters. Whenever something calls for pure force, the God-Generals rely on Arietta and her [[TheBeastmaster beastmaster]] skills.
** ''VideoGame/TalesOfZestiria'':
*** Lunarre is an AxCrazy Hellion who works for the BigBad, Heldalf. His main role is to use his skills as an ex-assassin and his new fire artes to help start a war between Hyland and Rolance, but he tends to prioritize his own bloodlust against the Shepherd's party. However, he is capable of complex plans and manipulations, making him a downplayed example. In the postgame DLC, he organizes a Hellion attack on Camlann in order to kill or corrupt Sorey and Maotelus in the middle of their hibernation, and it's implied that the combination of his malice and intelligence will turn him into Heldalf's successor as Lord of Calamity, making him a rare example of a brute becoming the new main antagonist.
*** Maotelus is an Empyrean-turned-Hellion who plays this trope straight, albeit unwillingly, since he is unable to think rationally in his current state and therefore provides no intellectual contribution to Heldalf's plans. His role is to act as Heldalf's Armatization partner in the good ending and transform into an unstoppable rampaging dragon in the bad ending.
* ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'':
** The Tyrants, in particular, T-00 aka "Mr X" of ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil2 RE2]]'' is this for Umbrella, an ImplacableMan sent to retrieve the G-Virus and when possible brutalize the heroes Leon and Claire.
** Nemesis, a modified Tyrant from ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil3Nemesis RE3]]'' is not just TheBrute, but TheJuggernaut who bounces back from everything Jill throws at him. It took a specialised Railgun and then a few headshots from a magnum to put Nemmy down, and even then it’s implied he was still alive even after that, and it took Raccoon City [[TheresNoKillLikeOverKill being nuked]] to finish him.
** It appears that everyone’s favorite Umbrella Special Forces Operative [[GasMaskMooks HUNK]] is The Brute for the evil pharmaceutical company.
*** In ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilOperationRaccoonCity'' demolition expert BELTWAY is The Brute for HUNK himself.
** Mendez for Saddler in ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil4 RE4]]'', and in the same game [[BloodKnight Jack Krauser]] is The Brute for Wesker.
** [[spoiler:BrainwashedAndCrazy Jill Valentine is this for Wesker in ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil5 RE5]]'', being used as an unthinking killing machine as well as serving emotional torment for Chris, Jill’s partner. Interestingly, thanks to some BioAugmentation Jill is nearly as superhuman as Wesker himself.]]
** Ustanak for BigBad Simmons in ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil6 RE6]]''.
** In ''[[VideoGame/ResidentEvil7 RE7]]'', since Lucas fits better as TheDragon for Eveline, Jack fulfills this role being the first boss you face and the most relentless one.
** Lady Dimitrescu from ''VideoGame/ResidentEvilVillage'' is a [[GenderInvertedTrope rare female example]]. While most of the other humanoid bosses use some kind of gimmick or ability to give Ethan a hard time, Dimitrescu relies purely on her StatuesqueStunner strength and some WolverineClaws to overpower Ethan with. Besides Lady D, the troll-like Lycans Uriaș and Uriaș Străjer are this overlapping with GiantMook.
* ''VideoGame/MetalGear'':
** Raven from ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'' fits this in terms of appearance and group role: a huge man, all muscles, who goes into battle carrying a ''[[GatlingGood Gatling gun]]'', and eschews the schemes of the rest of the group. In personality he's a major subversion, being an [[GeniusBruiser intelligent]] WarriorPoet shaman, and possibly an AntiVillain going by how he says he doesn't actually want to live in the sort of world being created by Liquid and The Patriots, and how he welcomes death, rejoicing in returning to "Mother Earth".
** Vamp from ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid2SonsOfLiberty'' for Dead Cell, unlike other ''Metal Gear'' antagonists, has no greater ambition beyond creating chaos for the mad men he serves loyally, and being a DeathSeeker he revels in all bloodshed having a whale of time fighting his WorthyOpponent Raiden. Like Raven, Vamp is also honorable, being disgusted with his fellow Dead Cell members disloyalty and he also questioned orders of Solidus Snake and Ocelot.
** The Pain in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'', at over two meters tall he's the most imposing of the Cobra Unit, and his PestController powers are gonna give anyone a rough time.
** FatBastard {{Cyborg}} Sundowner from ''VideoGame/MetalGearRisingRevengeance'' invokes this being by far the most brutish and unlikable of Desperado even though he's supposed to be TheDragon (a role Monsoon fits into better). You could make the argument Jetstream Sam (Raiden's WorthyOpponent) is more like The Brute despite being an AntiVillain.
** Volgin aka [[ImplacableMan Man on Fire]] for Skull Face in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidV''.
* Dapang from Creator/JohnWoo's ''VideoGame/{{Stranglehold}}'', who also has the distinction of being Wong's [[TheDragon Dragon]]. On the Golden Kane side, we have Ty Lok, who Tequila fights in the third major mission, who isn't as big and powerful as Dapang, but does pack a [[MoreDakka big whacking]] [[{{BFG}} machine gun]].

* [[HuskyRusskie The Heavy]] in the page quote from ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'' fills this archetype as a playable character, being a MightyGlacier wielding a [[{{BFG}} big freakin]] [[GatlingGood Gatling gun]] [[ICallItVera named "Sasha"]].
** And he can get another one, it's named Natasha.
** Thing is, while he mostly qualifies for simply TheBigGuy of the second variety while on your team, he definitely qualifies as this while on the ''other'' team, since while he is generally one of the nicest members of the cast to his other team members, he is taunting and berating to his enemies.
* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'':
** [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin The Brutes]] (Species name: Jiralhanae), whom as a whole serve as this for the Covenant. One is pictured above without a helmet. They're scarier without helmets on! They're even worse if they're toting a [[DropTheHammer Gravity Hammer]].
** We also have Hunters (or Mgalekgolo), even '''BIGGER''' aliens with huge-ass shields and {{BFG}}s for hands. [[DemonicSpiders If they're not roaring at you and blowing you to bits with their weapons]], [[BossInMookClothing they're roaring at you and bashing anything near them to bloody shredded ribbons and scrap metal]]. They are not DumbMuscle though; in fact, they're damn near GeniusBruiser instead, thanks in part to the fact that they're ''[[SuddenlyShouting ESSENTIALLY]]'' '''[[TheWormThatWalks A GIANT COLONY OF MICROSCOPIC WORMS]]''' '''''[[OhCrap FITTED INTO STARSHIP-CLASS ARMOUR WITH A POWERFUL ENERGY CANNON STRAPPED TO THEIR ARM!!!]]'''''
* In ''VideoGame/WildArms'', Belselk, the first member of the [[QuirkyMiniBossSquad Quarter Knights]], is definitely The Brute of the squad. He's a rare case that's actually stronger than TheDragon, and Zeikfried admits this in the remake, calling him the strongest fighter of the Quarter Knights. The heroes were only able to beat him because a trap backfired and left him weaker. [[spoiler:The remake had Alhazad revive him after his death at the hands of Boomerang, and he returns near the end of the game to pay Boomerang back then goes on to face the heroes one last time just before the BigBad.]]
* ''VideoGame/ShadowHeartsCovenant'':
** Lenny is a strong, but dumb commander of [[NebulousEvilOrganisation Sapientes Gladio]]. He wields the PowerOfTheGodhand, and he's stupid enough to be fooled into [[IllNeverTellYouWhatImTellingYou blurting out secret information to prove that he knows it]].
** Raiden of the Mutant Apes is actually a pretty sophisticated guy, but his huge size and enormous strength in comparison to fellow Apes [[FragileSpeedster Hien]] and [[GunFu Ouka]] land him squarely into this trope.

* ''Videogame/CrashBandicoot1996'' gives us Koala Kong, while most subsequent ''Crash'' games have this position filled by [[IronicNickname Tiny Tiger]]. ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot4ItsAboutTime'' has N. Brio as The Brute instead.

* Bolo and his PaletteSwap Abobo in ''VideoGame/DoubleDragon'', and Burnov and Abore in the sequel.
* ''VideoGame/TheWitcher'', has Savolla. It is very unusual for The Brute to be an EvilSorcerer, but he is still this. He is the first opponent that TheHero faces and he also, aside from being a sorcerer, is also quite large physically.
* ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'';
** Even [[EverybodyHatesHades though Hades is usually portrayed]] as a BigBad in fiction, ''VideoGame/GodOfWarIII'' portrays him as The Brute. He relies more on hitting [[DesignatedHero Kratos]] with his chain blade things than anything else, and his [[OneWingedAngel second form]] relies on NASTY physical attacks.
** Hercules in the same game also qualifies, since he uses exclusively brute strength in combat with his [[PowerFist Nemean Cestus]], and later his bare hands after his weapons are taken from him. In Olympus' chain of command, he ranks as Hera's champion below [[CoDragons Poseidon, Hades and Helios]].
** Magni and Modi in ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'' are a pair of Aesir brothers that confront Kratos and Atreus. Despite being sons of Thor, they are minor deities that serves as muscle to [[EvilOverlord Odin]] and of the two, Magni fits the trope better being extremely tall, bulky and wielding a {{BFS}}. He also gets on hell of an EstablishingCharacterMoment when he drops in front of the heroes struggling with an ogre, only to snap its neck and casually throw its carcass with one hand.
* Agatio from ''VideoGame/GoldenSun: The Lost Age'' is an unusually clever example, despite Alex and the official strategy guide writing him off as mere DumbMuscle. He's [[CombatPragmatist sharp enough to fight dirty]], hits like a truck... oh, and did we mention he's a [[PlayingWithFire Fire]] [[KillItWithFire Adept]] with a huge variety of unique and powerful spells at his disposal? The good news is that he defers to authority. The bad news? He thinks Prox plans to TakeOverTheWorld, and is quite determined to make it happen...
* ''VideoGame/SuperPaperMario'': O'Chunks is a classic example.
** ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'' has Marilyn who has the most health and strongest attack power of the Shadow Sirens.
* Balrog from ''VideoGame/CaveStory'' is a large soap-bar shaped robot (or something) who also serves as [[BigBad the Doctor's]] right-hand man, trying to kill the main character [[RecurringBoss on several occasions]].
* In the ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' series:
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBindingBlade'' has Wyvern General Narcien. He's the most destructive and ruthless of the three Wyvern Generals, but in last place among the three with regards to sanity, loyalty, courage, tactical aptitude, and fighting skills. Makes you wonder how he even got hired.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheBlazingBlade'' features Denning. He doesn't actually seem to be part of the inner circle of villains (as he has no scenes with the BigBad or any other prominent enemies) and he's a [[OneSceneWonder one-chapter wonder]], but he fits in that he's dumber than a post and exists solely to sic legions of even stupider {{Mooks}} at you and rant "This is a message from Lord Nergal. 'I await you on the Dread Isle.'" He's also the only physical attacker among the [[ArtificialHuman Morphs]].
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemPathOfRadiance'' has General Bertram, one of the Four Riders of Daien, a BrainwashedAndCrazy DeathSeeker who only speaks in broken SssssnakeTalk. Theoretically CoDragons with The Black Knight and Generals Bryce and Petrine, Bertram is too insane to actually lead his troops, and holds his position based solely on his combat skills.
** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemFates'' has Hans, one of Garon's CoDragons. He serves as the main ground-level enforcer of Garon's will and takes great joy in slaughtering anyone who crosses him, and he's a massive LeeroyJenkins.
* The ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}'' series has [[AttackOfThe50FootWhatever Kraid]].
* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIVBlackFlag'' has El Tiburon who throughout the entire game exists as a physical threat and a bodyguard to [[BigBadWannabe Torres]]. He does not say a word throughout the entire game [[spoiler: including in his dying moments]].
** And in most of the other titles there is simply the [[GiantMook brute class]] of enemy, no matter the time period is either walking around in hulking great armour and carrying large weapons or just a really big guy.
** Thomas Hickey from ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIII'' merits a mention too. While not as classic as El Tiburon, he is bigger and more muscular than other templars from the game, and he is not so devoted to the order. He is just a PsychoForHire who is only in it for money. He is certainly [[GeniusBruiser not stupid]] though.
* ''VideoGame/{{Sinjid}}'' has the Bandit Brute. He's [[BloodKnight bloodthirsty]], [[DumbMuscle stupid]], and relies on GoodOldFisticuffs to get the job done.

* Wilhelm in ''VideoGame/Borderlands2''. In ''VideoGame/BorderlandsThePreSequel'', he started out as the Enforcer for Jack's group of Vault Hunters, a hulking, very durable mercenary with a selection of durability and damage enhancements (he has an entire skill tree called ''Dreadnought''). By the time of ''2'', he's [[BigBad Handsome Jack's]] most feared minion, a terrifying murder machine who threw the original Vault Hunters out of New Haven by taking them all on solo and winning. While not ''stupid'', exactly, he's not shown to be particularly deep or thoughtful (his idea of a deep personal confession is "I like steak and robots").
* Fergal Bansha in ''VideoGame/Vampyr2018'' is a tall, bulky, dark grey-skinned vampire that serves as [[VampireMonarch Lord Redgrave's]] muscle and strongest enforcer. While he is seen fighting barehanded against multiple opponents like most examples of this trope, he displays the unusual ability to summon a LivingShadow to fight alongside him. And in the true spirit of this trope, [[spoiler:he is deemed completely expendable by his boss, who doesn't feel bad about his death at the TheHero's hands]].
* ''VideoGame/DarkestDungeon'': The Swine King (or Prince/God depending on level) is a Brute boss. The result of botched summoning rituals that bound an [[EldritchAbomination entity from Beyond]] into a boar, the Swine King is a giant, seemingly blind killing machine that the Ancestor describes as "brutish and stupid". It needs another pig, a small but smart creature called Wilbur, to direct its attacks; if Wilbur dies, the King loses all restraint and starts just trying to crush the entire party at once with his giant butcher's cleaver. Notably, Wilbur is the only gimmick to the entire fight; the King is otherwise just a slab of ill-tempered, demon-possessed meat.
* ''VideoGame/DragonQuestIII'': King Hydra doesn't speak a word, but he certainly has the physical power to exert Zoma's will upon the world, even to the extent of [[spoiler:killing the Hero's father Ortega]].
* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfSpyroANewBeginning'': Unlike the other bosses, who use various forms of magic, technology, or simply acrobatic tricks, the Stone Sentinel has a simple, brutal and physical arsenal of moves based on punching and kicking Spyro around.
* ''VideoGame/{{Mongrelmen}}'' has the [[UniqueEnemy unique mongrelman]] Cudge, a hulking grotesque humanoid of legendary strength and with [[BigEater an apettite to match]]. You, a VillainProtagonist, can actually recruit him as an ally by offering to him your entire food stockpile as a welcome gift.

* The ''VideoGame/LikeADragon'' series has plenty of brutes.
** ''VideoGame/Yakuza0'' has Daisaku Kuze, someone who Kiryu faces off against a grand total of '''[[RecurringBoss 5 TIMES]].'''
*** There's also Homare Nishitani, who may not be as muscular as Kiryu (or even Majima for that matter), but he sure as hell is unhinged and rather disrespected by his Omi peers.
** ''VideoGame/Yakuza1'':
*** Futoshi Shimano, Majima's boss. The loudest and strongest of the major antagonists, and has the stature and brutality to back it up.
*** Hiroshi Hayashi, the tall and slender Lieutenant Advisor of the Omi Alliance that Kiryu squares up against. He also makes an appearance in...
** ...''VideoGame/Yakuza2'', as the "Lap Dog" of Ryuji Goda. He even {{Dual Wield|ing}}s [[PipePain two torn-off pipes]] later on in the fight!
*** On a much larger scale, Ryuji can be considered this to TheManBehindTheMan Ryo Takashima, who is less of a BloodKnight that does the dirty work and more of a DirtyCoward that schemes from the sidelines.
** In ''VideoGame/Yakuza3'', FatBastard Kanda is considered this. [[spoiler:[[BigBad Mine]] takes care of him quick, though.]]
** In ''VideoGame/Yakuza4'', Takeshi Kido, even if he's not really that bad, since he's also the one that [[TheBigGuy Taiga Saejima]] is up against. He's also very disrespected by his peers who think of him as a DirtyCoward even though he can wipe the floor with a bunch of Yakuza Members just because of his choice of clothing (making him look like a {{Mook|s}} than a proper boss or even a MauveShirt), though Saejima gives him some wisdom to [[MemeticMutation Go Balls Out.]]
*** Another character is [[BoozeFlamethrower Daisaku Minami]], who's definitely this as the Lieutenant of Majima's Family. The closest thing to TheDragon that Majima has is his meek high ranking Lieutenant Nishida, who's doing A LOT for the boss, and is clearly held in higher favor than Minami.
*** There's also [[MightyGlacier Jiro]] [[{{Superboss}} Amon]], who's strong and disrespected a lot (being called "girly" by [[TheBigGuy Saejima]]), but wields a sledgehammer that explodes on impact.
*** [[DelinquentHair Takumi]] [[ChainsawGood Midorikawa]], despite being TheDragon in title (being the captain of the Hatsushiba Clan), is this in practice.
** In ''VideoGame/Yakuza5'', Masato Aizawa appears to be this, but to Kiryu's surprise and confusion (and even his own), [[spoiler:He's the final boss of the game.]]
*** In rank, he may be TheDragon, but Yahata is definitely this. Hotheaded and aggressive, Yahata fights Kiryu twice. [[spoiler:[[SingleStrokeBattle He goes down in one hit later on]], but that's because he's considerably injured.]]
*** On a much smaller scale, ImplacableMan Kanai is this for Naoki Katsuya, and also [[spoiler:Akiyama's own final boss.]]
** In ''VideoGame/Yakuza6'', There's Ed, a tall, heavyset man with both StoutStrength, being {{Acrofatic}}, and also being extremely skilled with a karambit.
** In ''VideoGame/YakuzaLikeADragon'', [[GeniusBruiser Yosuke Tendo]] is this, though he's significantly smarter than a typical brute, despite his Boxing Background.
*** Alongside Tendo is [[BrooklynRage Reiji Ishioda]], since Sawashiro's TheDragon to Masumi and Tendo's his favorite, Ishioda is the one spending most of the time on the frontline.
*** There's also Mirror Face, who can shapeshift into either [[TheBigGuy Koichi Adachi]], or the aforementioned [[GeniusBruiser Yosuke Tendo]].
** The ''VideoGame/{{Judgment}}'' series has a plethora of brutes to go around. Markers: JE is ''[[VideoGame/{{Judgment}} Judge eyes]]'', LJ is ''VideoGame/LostJudgment'', and KF is ''Kaito Files''.
*** JE: Kojiro Ozaki, Lieutenant of the Matsunage Family. He's the largest of them all, being tall and bulky (in both muscle and fat).
*** JE: HotBlooded Akira Murase of the Kyorei Clan. [[spoiler:He [[WhyAmITicking gets a bomb strapped to his back]].]]
*** JE: Renji Honda, the muscled BloodKnight of the Keihin Gang.
*** JE: Kaito Sakakiba, the FatBastard of the Keihin Gang. (Occasionally dresses as Yagami. [[PaperThinDisguise You definitely]] [[SarcasmMode can't tell the difference.]])
*** JE: Sakuraba, TheQuietOne who lets [[TheAce Mitsuru Kuroiwa]] do the talking.
*** JE: [[FlunkyBoss Mashiko, the ADDC Security Guard who has his own men to back him up.]]
*** LJ: Sakaki of the delinquent students, but he becomes TheBigGuy later down the line in his HeelFaceTurn.
*** LJ: [[AbusiveParents Fudo]] "[[RedBaron The Killer]]" Oshikiri, an enforcer of the Neo Keihin Gang under Renji Honda.
*** LJ: Daimu Akutsu, who's more of TheDragon with his role, though he is this in terms of practice.
*** KF: Fudo makes an appearance again, this time for the Bato Detective Agency, losing to Kaito, and reflecting on how bad he treated his son Kenya upon witnessing Kaito and Jun's father-son relationship.
*** KF: [[TheAlcoholic Shusuke]] [[BloodKnight Kenmochi]], the frontman of Crimson Lotus, and the Brute to [[spoiler:BigBad [[DeviousDaggers Kyoya]] [[PsychoKnifeNut Sadamoto]].]] [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower Oh yeah, and he can tear off a lightpost out of the ground.]]
** In ''VideoGame/YakuzaDeadSouls'', Hiroshi Hayashi makes an appearance yet again as another brute. But he's not just any brute now, oh no. [[spoiler:He's PatientZero of the zombie strain that's been rampaging all around Kamurocho, and the long-term effects aren't pretty.]]
** Another brute that makes another appearance is Kamon Kanai, though as Yoshida Toshimaro in VideoGame/LikeADragonIshin (replaced by Shimano in the remake). He [[CarryABigStick wields a Kanabo]] and only serves as a boss.
*** There's the mercenary [[FlunkyBoss Thomas Glover]], an expy of [[VideoGame/Yakuza3 Andre Richardson]], who's particularly tall and bulky, and {{Dual Wield}}s pistols.
* ''VideoGame/Overwatch2'': Out of all the playable members of Talon, Mauga fits the bill. He is a massive WildSamoan resembling a {{Cyborg}} version of Maui from ''WesternAnimation/{{Moana}}'' who [[DualWielding dual wields]] a pair of massive [[GatlingGood miniguns]]. In game, he is able to perform a FoeTossingCharge, absorb damage by putting his two hearts into overdrive, and his ultimate traps his enemies in a ring around him wherein he has unlimited ammo.

* ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'':
** Ser Gregor Clegane (AKA "[[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Mountain that Rides]]") is this to a T. He's not on any inner circle, in part because he's too [[AxCrazy psychotic]] for that, and because [[TheChessmaster Lord Tywin Lannister]] doesn't really keep an inner circle, (he has one or two people he genuinely consults with such as his brother Kevan, the rest are dupes that he manipulates) however he is Tywin's choice for virtually all of the dirty and bloody work that needs to be done, and shows real taste for and skill at it. He's also the WorldsStrongestMan and the physically largest human seen so far (almost 8’0” tall), and will gleefully show it off.
** Similarly, Victarion Greyjoy is this for House Greyjoy. They also make an interesting comparison, as they are two very different characters who fall under the same trope type; while Clegane is a vicious and amoral sadist, Victarion is TheFettered, believing wholeheartedly in the grim, EvenEvilHasStandards code of honor that the Iron Men share.
** Shagga son of Dolf serves as a BoisterousBruiser style Brute to [[MisterBig Tyrion]], doing most of his dirty work, while Tyrion and [[TheDragon Bronn]] keep their hands relatively clean. [[EyepatchOfPower Timmett son of Timmett]] is somewhere between this and a [[CoDragons second Dragon]].
** Ser Amory Lorch is a [[PetRat far less impressive]] Brute for the Lannisters - he's essentially nothing more than an idiotic thug, lacking Gregor Clegane's SuperStrength and [[TheDreaded fear factor]]. His only conceivably useful quality is his [[TheSociopath utter ruthlessness]].

* Lu Bu in ''Literature/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms''. Initially, he is able to handily intimidate all dissenters from taking down Dong Zhou, drive away Cao Cao when Cao Cao comes to assassinate Dong Zhou, and take on Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Liu Bei at once. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Liu Bei are held up as amazing warriors because three on one they didn't flee Lu Bu and forced him to retire. Lu murders his lord and adopted father for a horse, his next lord for a 16 year old dancer (not that kind), and dies an alcoholic wreck of a man.
* Ronald Niedermann from the ''Literature/MillenniumSeries'' is able to deal out a lot of pain, being able to break normal people's necks like sticks. Coupled with the fact that he is [[FeelNoPain unable to feel pain]] due to a neuralgic defect, it makes him nearly unstoppable.
* In Creator/RobertEHoward's Literature/ConanTheBarbarian story "Literature/AWitchShallBeBorn," Khumbanigash.
* In ''{{Literature/Malevil}}'', Armand serves as the SinisterMinister's [[TheDragon enforcer]]; big, dumb, and cruel, a man who only understands bullying people.

* René St. Charles from ''Literature/{{Samhain Island}}'' is described as having "muscles that could rival a wrestler" and does most of the dirty work. If it wasn't for the intervention of Miss Vargas [[spoiler: he would have ended up shooting a thirteen-year-old]].
* Tool in ''Literature/ShipBreaker'' is set up to be one to first Lucky Strike and then Richard Lopez. Subverted, as he's actually a GeniusBruiser & TheUnfettered, and is thus works for no one. Regular [[HalfHumanHybrid Halfmen]], who ''are'' TheFettered fulfill the stereotype better.
* In the BlackAndGrayMorality world of ''Literature/TheGodfather,'' Luca Brasi is a rare protagonist version of this, but man is he brutal! [[spoiler:Read 'throwing a newborn baby in a furnace because he didn't want illegitimate children' brutal.]] It's little wonder he's the Corleones' most feared enforcer, and it's why, when he is the first of the protagonists' side to die in the story proper, [[spoiler:Barzini]]'s people do not give him an opportunity to fight back before making him sleep with the fishes.
* In the late ''Literature/SherlockHolmes'' story "TheAdventureOfTheMazarinStone" by Sir Creator/ArthurConanDoyle, Sam Merton fills the role of the brute.

* The [[HumanoidAbomination Osthan]] from ''Literature/TheFirstDwarfKing'' could be seen as this; however, unusually for this trope, they avert DumbMuscle, instead being a group of [[GeniusBruiser Genius Bruisers]].
* In the ''Literature/ErebusSequence'', Golia, the most physically imposing of the [[{{Mutants}} Orfani]], is also both the nastiest and stupidest. He's being prepared for a role as dumb muscle, but thinks he's being prepared to be the next king. (He doesn't genuinely care, and just wants to strike out at people who think they're better than him.)

Compare: SmashMook, GiantMook.
Contrast: EvilGenius, GentleGiant.
Compare AND Contrast: TheBigGuy

*** Shisami in ''Anime/DragonBallZResurrectionF''

** Grifforzer from ''Series/KyoryuSentaiZyuranger'' plays this trope straight at first, being portrayed as a monstrous beast, incapable of human language. Later on, he does get a voice, which sounds very sophisticated, subverting this trope.

* An archetype in ''VideoGame/CityOfVillains'' is actually called The Brute, though thanks to the variety of powersets available (and the free-reign character creation), all player characters of this archetype don't necessarily fit the trope - at least the "big" and "all muscle" parts. You can just as easily make an [[SuperReflexes incredibly agile]] [[{{Flynning}} rapier]][[DualWielding -wielding]] [[LightningBruiser Brute]]. They do love to fight, though - the archetype's entire schtick is that they get stronger as a fight goes on.

* The ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'' series, along with its [[VideoGame/{{Judgment}} spin-off series Judgment]] has plenty of brutes.
** ''VideoGame/Yakuza0'' has Daisaku Kuze, someone who Kiryu faces off against a grand total of '''[[RecurringBoss 5 TIMES.]]'''

** ...''VideoGame/Yakuza2'', as the "Lap Dog" of Ryuji Goda. He even {{Dual Wield|ing}}s [[PipePain two torn off pipes]] later on in the fight!

** [[VideoGame/{{Judgment}} The Judgment series]] has a plethora of brutes to go around. Markers: JE is [[VideoGame/{{Judgment}} Judge eyes]], LJ is VideoGame/LostJudgment, and KF is Kaito Files.

*** JE: HotBlooded Akira Murase of the Kyorei Clan. [[spoiler: He [[WhyAmITicking gets a bomb strapped to his back.]]]]

** In VideoGame/YakuzaDeadSouls, Hiroshi Hayashi makes an appearance yet again as another brute. But he's not just any brute now, oh no. [[spoiler:He's PatientZero of the zombie strain that's been rampaging all around Kamurocho, and the long term effects aren't pretty.]]

** Varon/Valon from the Dartz arc in favours an Armour deck, attacks his opponents himself, and is extremely violent.

** Avalanche, Pyro and formerly [[Characters/MarvelComicsRogue Rogue]] were this for Characters/{{Mystique}}’s Brotherhood of Mutants.

* Azrael serves as this to [[WebAnimation/{{RWBY}} Salem's faction]] in ''Fanfic/BlazBlueAlternativeRemnant'', even more so than Hazel. He's unequivocally the largest and strongest, able to effortlessly kill giant Grimm like Death Stalkers with a single punch, and he's got the sadistic, bloodthirsty temperament to match. However, he's not particularly stupid so much as he is uncaring for anything outside of battle and destruction.