Ships & Modules

The Maelstrom performs somewhat like the Vargur and is a good stepping stone. Both of the Maelstrom fits below are somewhat similar in how the Vargur performs, though without the bonus to MJD bonus (and fitting one at all) and Bastion mode.

An example fit would be something like this:
[Maelstrom, 800 Mission]
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Tracking Enhancer II
Tracking Enhancer II

X-Large Shield Booster II
Thermic Dissipation Field II
Kinetic Deflection Field II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Shield Boost Amplifier II
Republic Fleet 100MN Afterburner

800mm Heavy 'Scout' Repeating Cannon I, Phased Plasma L
800mm Heavy 'Scout' Repeating Cannon I, Phased Plasma L
800mm Heavy 'Scout' Repeating Cannon I, Phased Plasma L
800mm Heavy 'Scout' Repeating Cannon I, Phased Plasma L
800mm Heavy 'Scout' Repeating Cannon I, Phased Plasma L
800mm Heavy 'Scout' Repeating Cannon I, Phased Plasma L
800mm Heavy 'Scout' Repeating Cannon I, Phased Plasma L
800mm Heavy 'Scout' Repeating Cannon I, Phased Plasma L

Large Capacitor Control Circuit I
Large Capacitor Control Circuit I
Large Capacitor Control Circuit I

Hammerhead II x5
Hammerhead II x1
Hobgoblin II x8

T2 guns isn't vital to have in my opinion, though some others think so. Swap the hardeners depending on the mission and you should be good. It's rather tight on CPU so if your fitting skills aren't there yet you might have to use an implant or use some faction modules that use less CPU. If you don't feel like you need the cap recharge you can also swap the CCC rigs for something else. I found them nice since I run the afterburner a lot to manage range so shield booster rigs doesn't have that much use for me.

[Maelstrom, 1400 Mission]
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Gyrostabilizer II
Tracking Enhancer II

X-Large Shield Booster II
Thermic Dissipation Field II
Kinetic Deflection Field II
Adaptive Invulnerability Field II
Cap Recharger II
'Copasetic' Particle Field Acceleration

1400mm 'Scout' Artillery I, Phased Plasma L
1400mm 'Scout' Artillery I, Phased Plasma L
1400mm 'Scout' Artillery I, Phased Plasma L
1400mm 'Scout' Artillery I, Phased Plasma L
1400mm 'Scout' Artillery I, Phased Plasma L
1400mm 'Scout' Artillery I, Phased Plasma L
1400mm 'Scout' Artillery I, Phased Plasma L
1400mm 'Scout' Artillery I, Phased Plasma L

Large Capacitor Control Circuit I
Large Capacitor Control Circuit I
Large Capacitor Control Circuit I

Hammerhead II x5
Hammerhead II x1
Hobgoblin II x8

Somewhat similar with artillery, no afterburner on it but it has better range of course. I used to swap between them a bit before but these days I rarely use it because I prefer autocannons. It's a preferential thing mostly I'd say. Against angels you always want autocannons though because they orbit too close for the artillery to properly hit them.

See these recent threads for more Maelstrom advice.