I find in games like this it doesn't mean much to have a score, because "I was the only one not to die" is such a clear victory condition people would ignore any other ways to look at it.
I can see how having powerups to fight over would add way more depth to the game, and give a lot of ways to play with mechanics both on offense and defense. But then also at that point you'd have to work to make that match 3 aspect really matter again. I could see it mattering if you tied the block spawn patterns to character selection and/or garbage block mechanics. Like if blocks came out already somewhat sorted, and then a good combo / power just shuffles the board and makes clearing it take time again.
If you do get to expand it I'll be sure to come back and see how far you get!