I can do it without using the pause button and in fact do most times... It frankly depends on where the camera is pointing at the moment of the shock.

If it is placed behind the victims of the charge and I can send the charging unit right back, I won't use Pause... But if I have to turn the camera around to face an unoccupied section of the battlefield, then I'll use Pause...

I should never have answered Econ's question and explained how I did it... Being Frank doesn't pay...(pardon the pun)