The Brush palette, and all the settings and options that it has, extend beyond just the Brush tool
They can also be applied to the Smudge, Stamp, Healing Brush, History Brush, Eraser and Dodge or Burn tools.
This can give you amazingly precise control over every brush-like function you could want.
Combine the options with the use of a pressure-sensitive graphics tablet, if you have one, and you will be a painting force to be reckoned with!