Elixir of Immortality vs any destroy artifact instant
Asked by Dante217 9 years ago
If my opponent has Elixir of Immortality out on the field and i cast an instant that destroys that artifact can my opponent activate the ability before the artifacts destruction if he has the mana
You cast Shatter targeting Elixir of Immortality. Then before Shatter resolves, each player gets priority to do something. You likely won't do anything, but the your opponent has an opportunity to pay 
and tap the Elixir to shuffle his graveyard and gain 5 life. This would counter your Shatter since it no longer has a legal target.
October 11, 2015 12:24 p.m. Edited.
They can activate the ability in response. That's the reason spells like Krosan Grip exist - they prevent your opponent from responding by casting spells or abilities (that aren't mana abilities) so you can be sure to destroy it even though they have mana open. If you use something else, such as Naturalize, they get to respond by activating the Elixir's ability, and all you achieved is force them to activate it at a certain time.
Epochalyptik says... Accepted answer #1
Yes. Unless otherwise specified, you may activate an activated ability at any time you have priority. Your opponent can respond to your spell.
October 11, 2015 12:24 p.m.