Skyrim:Daedra Heart

Daedra Hearts are collected from slain Dremora. In addition to their alchemical uses, they are also a key ingredient in making Daedric armor and weapons, both at standard forges and at the Atronach Forge. These multiple uses, coupled with their rarity, make them extremely valuable items. Although Daedra hearts are rare, nearly all of their sources do respawn, meaning that obtaining sufficient Daedra hearts for creating Daedric gear may be difficult, but should never be impossible.

Combinations
In terms of combinations of two ingredients, Daedra Hearts can be combined with 53 other ingredients.

2 Effects


1 Effect


Ingredients
Guaranteed samples can be found in the following locations:
2 in Nightcaller Temple (The Pale)
1 in the Hall of the Vigilant (The Pale)  
1 in Jorrvaskr Living Quarters (Whiterun)
1 in Sinderion's Field Laboratory (Blackreach)
1 in Volkihar Ruins 
1 in Volkihar Keep 

It is categorized as a rare ingredient, meaning that most apothecary merchants have a 21% chance of carrying 1-4 samples. In addition, it may be randomly found only in rare-type apothecary's satchels. Other possible locations for already-harvested samples include:
2 guaranteed samples are sold by Enthir at the College of Winterhold.
38% chance of 1-6 samples being sold by Babette.
9% chance of 1-2 samples being sold by the Sleeping Giant Inn.
1 can be obtained from Balbus (either as a gift, pickpocketing him, or killing him).
They can be created at the Atronach Forge from: 1 Black Soul Gem + 1 Human Heart (requires the Sigil Stone).
Chests encountered in the Soul Cairn  buildings and ruins have a high probability of containing Daedra hearts.

Creatures
Daedra hearts are dropped by all varieties of Dremora, i.e., Dremora Caitiffs, Churls, Kynreeves, Kynvals, Lords, and Markynaz, as well as named Dremora, namely Velehk Sain. Some places where Dremora can be encountered and killed include:
The Shrine of Mehrunes Dagon. During the quest Pieces of the Past, four Dremora will appear around the shrine: two outside and two inside. After completing the quest, the Dremora in and around the shrine will continue to spawn every few days.
During the quest The Black Star, there are three Dremora.
One is encountered after completing the maze in Labyrinthian.

The Reaper  and Ebony Warrior are each guaranteed to drop one sample.

Related Quests
 
1 sample is needed for this quest.
 
1 sample is needed for this quest.
 
1 sample is needed for this quest.

Notes
The key difference between Daedric and ebony equipment is that the essence of a Daedric creature is bound into the equipment. Daedra hearts provide that essence, and therefore are critical for making all varieties of Daedric gear. Specifically:
At forges, if the Daedric Smithing perk has been unlocked, a Daedra heart can be combined with ebony ingots and leather strips to make:
All varieties of Daedric armor (armor, boots, gauntlets, helmet, and shield).
All varieties of Daedric weapon (battleaxe, bow, dagger, greatsword, mace, sword, war axe, and warhammer).
At the Atronach Forge, if upgraded using the Sigil Stone, a Daedra heart can be combined with other items to make:
All varieties of Daedric armor.
All varieties of Daedric weapon.
A random enchanted Daedric armor.
A random enchanted Daedric weapon.
An Unbound Dremora.