Can I activate mana or tap abilities during my opponent's turn?
Asked by kmrys 9 years ago
I just want to know if it is possible, like using Elvish Mystic in my opponent's turn to cast an instant
nighthawk101 says... Accepted answer #2
Activated abilities can be activated at instant speed unless the card says otherwise. For example, you can activate either of Ghost-Lit Raider 's abilities at any time, but you can only activate Nezumi Bone-Reader 's ability when you could cast a sorcery, as the card says.
September 13, 2014 9:22 p.m.
Yes, though it is still subject to "summoning sickness". You can't activate abilities with the 
symbol unless you've controlled it since the beginning of your most recent turn.
September 13, 2014 10:48 p.m.
For sure, paid abilities are like instants unless the card says otherwise.
September 13, 2014 11:15 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #5
Note that abilities that cost mana to activate (e.g. Vexing Shusher 's activated ability) are NOT the same thing as mana abilities.
Mana abilities are any abilities that (1) aren't loyalty abilities, (2) don't have targets, and (3) would add mana to a player's mana pool when they resolve. If they are triggered mana abilities, they only trigger off of other mana abilities. Mana abilities resolve immediately and don't use the stack.
d.seibert121 says... #1
That is absolutely the case! You can activate activated abilities (anything in the form cost:effect) at any time you could cast an instant, unless otherwise specified.
September 13, 2014 9 p.m.