18 Jul 2014
It's possible to activate the first activated ability of Haunted Plate Mail in response to activating the first ability of another Haunted Plate Mail and have them both become creatures until end of turn.
18 Jul 2014
Although you must control no creatures to activate the "animation" ability, having a creature somehow come under your control in response to that ability won't stop it from resolving.
18 Jul 2014
You can activate the equip ability of Haunted Plate Mail while it isn't an Equipment, but the ability will have no effect. Haunted Plate Mail won't become attached to any creature.