I have 2 brutes:
http://kayaker666.mybrute.com
http://kayaker668.mybrute.com
My first guy is Level 8 now and was doing good in the earlier levels, but has been having more difficulty of late. Still, he's usually getting 2/3 fights per day.
My second guy was pretty wimpy early on, but is now on a 12 fight win streak and usually has few problems. He'll be Level 7 tomorrow.
The first guy is heavy on strength and clubs, so if he lands a swing he does lots of damage, but the second one is decently fast with fast weapons, extra hits, and he has armour and the healing potion.
Neither brute has made it very far in a tournament yet.