I've implemented my own org-cycle-level function. The major difference is that it's stateless, taking cues only from the level of the previous headline, rather than the level at which the current headline started. That way you can always look at the buffer and know what the TAB key will do on an empty headline. For example, if the previous headline is at level 4 and you create a new blank one under it, pressing TAB to cycle levels will cycle in the following order: 4 -> 5 -> 3 -> 2 -> 1 -> 4. Even if you move the point away and back, then keep cycling, the cycling picks up where it left off. (The default org-cycle-level function does not work this way.)